2022World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development - Franciscan Church of St Peter and Paul - First Day Cover

Before the Ottoman conquests, the city of Mostar had several Roman Catholic churches, and the last one was torn down together with the convent - the church of St Anthony of Padua - in 1563. This brought about the time of heavy persecutions of the Roman Catholics in the town. In 1862, following more than three centuries of persecutions, at the request of Bishop friar Rafa Barišić and at the behest of his friend - famed Omer-pasha Latas - the Ottoman emperor Abdulaziz gave away Ali-pasha Rizvanbegović's garden in Zahum, located at the bifurcation of the river Radobolja, for the construction of the Catholic church.