By Keith Adams BBC, Croatia

The Pope called on Croats to build bridges with their old foes

The Pope has now finished a five-day tour of Croatia, his 100th overseas trip.

His message to the Croatians, 90% of whom are Catholic, was one of reconciliation.

Croatia's religion is inextricably bound to the national identity, so a visit from the head of the Church excites keen anticipation and a rapturous welcome.

But, woven into the sermons the Pontiff delivered to hundreds of thousands of the faithful, was a gentle but firm chastisement for the ethnic discord that still permeates Croatian society.

Though the Balkan wars of the last decade are over, the enmity that fuelled them is alive and well.

The Pope called on Croats to build bridges with their old foes.

He took his message to the frontier town of Dubrovnik - held under siege for eight months by Serbian forces; and to the eastern province of Slavonia, where the town of Vukovar was pummelled by an unrelenting air and artillery assault.

'Moral authority'

The crowds braved soaring temperatures to see the Pope - it is the hottest summer here for 100 years.

But will they heed his pleas for reconciliation?

"I think this message will penetrate the communities," says Alessandro Fracasseti, who works for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

He has been based in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, for more than three years.

"For the Croatian people there is possibly no-one with more moral authority than the Pope."

He says that Croatia's campaign for European Union membership is also forcing the government to assess its treatment of the Serbs.

Of the estimated 300,000 who fled the hostilities of the 1990s, less than one-third have returned.

'No security'

Sophia Skoric is a Serb who made the journey back in 1998.

We don't hate Serbs - the war is over Croatian war veteran Nevin Cadman

She returned to the town of Biljane Dowje near Zadar, but she has not been able to go home.

Her house has been destroyed by explosives twice, and twice reconstructed.

She does not know who is responsible for the attacks. In 2000 the house was burnt down.

"Even if I could just pitch a tent in our garden, that would seem like going home. But there's no security there," she said.

She is hopeful, however, that the Pope's message will have an effect.

"I'm so happy the Pope has come. I'm sure his message will help me to go home."

EU ambitions

Mr Fracasseti says the return of refugees is a fundamental issue Croatia must resolve to win EU approval.

The Vatican would like another strong Catholic country in Europe

The Pope has backed the country's EU ambitions, but is reportedly frustrated by its slow progress.

"This visit is part of his efforts to promote Croatia into the European Union," says Croatian Vatican analyst Inoslav Besker.

"It would be useful for the Vatican to have another strong Catholic country in Europe... to promote their vision of Europe as a structure with strong Christian roots."

'Everyone is equal'

The Pope's message of peace may have been directed at the minority of Croats who still bear grudges.

Many others think his plea for reconciliation was a global message.

Nevin Cadman is a 38-year-old hotel receptionist from Rijeka and a Croatian war veteran.

"He is calling for peace in the whole world," Mr Cadman said.

"We don't hate Serbs - the war is over," he insists.

When pushed on the divisions in his society he narrows his eyes.