(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
Preparations are underway in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a visit by Pope Francis this weekend, expected to draw large crowds.
The Vatican says the trip is aimed at building a sense of brotherhood in the country ravaged by war two decades ago.
Santilla Chingaipe has the details.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
In the capital Sarajevo, an estimated 60,000 people are expected to attend a mass officiated by the pontiff at the city's stadium.
Taking centre place during the mass will be a large wooden cross bearing bullet holes and shrapnel damage.
The cross was badly damaged in 1993 when troops of the Bosnian Muslim army overran a small Croat Catholic village and its church in central Bosnia.
That forced hundreds of local residents to flee their homes.
Marko Skaba is a priest from the Stup neighbourhood of Sarajevo.
(Translated) "This cross comes from the Parish of Dezevice, near Kresevo. This parish was badly damaged during the war. In fact, we call this cross the 'Wounded Dezevica Cross'. There are 32 shrapnel holes and bullet holes in it, so this cross really symbolises suffering. But after this suffering, there was resurrection, in which we, the Church, were saved. And Jesus Christ saved us all in the same way, with his cross and resurrection."
Bosnia has a population of nearly four million, with a Muslim majority.
It is also made up of a Serbian population, mainly Orthodox Christian, and a smaller minority of largely Catholic Croats.
Across the Bosnian capital, hundreds of billboards and posters are in place to welcome pilgrims from all over Balkans.
Street shops have been filled with Pope Francis-imprinted t-shirts, coffee mugs and even travel bags.
Sarajevo resident Azra Hadziabdic says the visit by the head of the Catholic Church is an important one.
(Translated) "For me and Bosnia (and) Herzegovina, I'm really happy that he's coming, because he's a well known peacemaker. Everyone knows our situation, so I really hope that he will successfully direct our politicians in a positive direction."
Another resident, Salko Omerbasic, agrees.
(Translated) "The Pope's intentions are good. He wants to contribute to our coexistence. Twenty years ago, there was stuff going on here, but, now, there are positive indications that we can create a normal society here."
Aside from the 60,000 expected to come for the mass, local authorities expect a further 20,000 people will descend on the city during the Pope's one-day visit.
This will be the third time a pontiff has visited Bosnia since the end of the 1992 to 1995 war.
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