Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister, Ivica Dacic said he thinks the Pope Francis visit to Serbia, would be useful, Tanjug news agency reported.

“You know my stance. I made it public several times. I think it would be useful for Serbia and Serbian people in general,” Dacic said, after ceremonial liturgy at the Church of  Holly Virgin Maria, held to commemorate Armistice Day and the end of the WWI.

Dacic also noted, that relations with the Vatican are often viewed through the problems that existed in relation with the Church in Croatia and Second World War.

“This is a topic of universal character. Relations with the Holly See go beyond that issue. It would be good to have contacts and meetings between representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Holly See. When it comes to the interest of Serbian people and Serbia, I think it would all be very useful,” Dacic said

Vienna Archbishop Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, who served the liturgy, responding to a question if his presence in the liturgy is a contribution to the efforts for Pope Francis to visit Serbia, said “that he received no instruction from Pope on this matter,” but noted “that he has instruction from his heart as Austrian, because we have a joint history in these areas and he cares very much about reconciliation.”