by croatiaweek
October 2, 2025
in
Pope Leo with young Petar (Photo: HTV/HRT/Screenshot)
A moving scene unfolded at yesterday’s general audience with the Pope in the Vatican, one that nine-year-old Petar Šarić will never forget, HRT reported.
During the gathering, Petar managed to climb onto the Popemobile and present Pope Leo with a Croatian supporters’ scarf to sign.
Pope Leo accepted the request with a warm smile before signing the Croatian football scarf, a gesture that delighted not only Petar, who gave the Pope a hug after, but also the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
The emotional moment quickly drew attention, with many of the faithful moved by the boy’s determination and the Pope’s heartfelt response.
Petar had travelled to the Vatican together with around fifty parishioners from the Croatian Catholic Mission in Bern, Switzerland.
You can watch the video of the encounter here