Some 1,250 media representatives accredited to cover pope's visit to Croatia

Some 1,250 media representatives, of which 950 Croatian and about 300 foreign, are accredited to cover the apostolic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia, to take place in Zagreb on June 4 and 5.

The Holy Father's visit will be covered by reporters from Italy, Germany, Poland, France, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United States, Russia and Mexico.

Also accredited are representatives of some 30 television networks, 30 radio stations and representatives of the leading global news agencies, the Croatian Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Alongside many Catholic media, including the Vatican television network Tele Pace and France's KTO TV, also accredited are RAI, Reuters, the Associated Press, ANSA, DPA, ORF, RAI, Polish TV, etc.

Aboard the plane with the pontiff will be some 50 reporters accredited with the Holy See from all major global media companies.

Hina will make all its photographs taken by its photojournalist during the pope's visit to Croatia available free of charge.

All information regarding the pontiff's visit to Croatia will be available at www.papa.hr.

The fourth visit of a pope to Croatia and the first visit of Pope Benedict XVI will help Croatia make headlines in most of the global media. This weekend Croatia will be visited by many foreign tourists which will contribute to the overall tourist promotion of the country, Tourism Minister Damir Bajs said on Thursday.

The Zagreb Tourist Board shares the minister's opinion, stressing it expects a large number of pilgrims in Zagreb on Saturday and Sunday.

Tourist facilities in Zagreb also expect more guests, except for those located downtown which will be closed down for security reasons. (Hina)