VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 160
DATE 21-09-2014

Summary:
- The Pope arrives in Albania, example of fruitful co-existence between
people of different beliefs
- The living Church in the Land of the Eagles: thank you for your fidelity
- To the young: yes to acceptance and solidarity

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 The Pope arrives in Albania, example of fruitful co-existence between
people of different beliefs
 Vatican City, 21 September 2014 (VIS) - This morning Pope Francis began
his visit to Tirana, Albania - his fourth apostolic trip and the second by
a pontiff to the "Land of the Eagles". The first was by John Paul
II in 1993, two years after the fall of the dictatorship and following the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic
of Albania. On that occasion, the Pope celebrated Mass in the Cathedral of
Scutari, which had been transformed into a sports centre under the
communist regime, and he blessed the first stone for the reconstruction of
the Shrine to Our Lady of Good Counsel, built in 1895 and demolished in
1967. In Tirana in recent years both the Church of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus of the Jesuit Fathers and the Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection
of Christ have been rebuilt.
 The Holy Father, who departed from Rome's Fiumicino airport at 7.30 a.m.,
arrived in Tirana at 9 a.m. and was received at the aerodrome dedicated to
Mother Teresa by representatives of the religious and civil authorities,
including the apostolic nuncio in Albania, Archbishop Ramiro Moliner
Ingles, and the Albanian prime minister Edi Rama. He proceeded by car to
the presidential palace of Tirana, where the welcome ceremony took place,
and he was greeted by the Albanian president, Bujar Nishani. Following a
brief discussion, the president accompanied the Pope to the Salon
Scanderberg for a meeting with the authorities, the diplomatic corps, and
some of the country's religious leaders.
 In his address to those present, the full text of which is published
below, the Holy Father spoke about Albania's path to recovering civil
liberties and religious freedom, warning of the exploitation of differences
between religions and praising the peaceful co-existence and collaboration
between those of different religious beliefs in Albania.
 "I am very happy to be here with you, in this noble land of Albania,
a land of heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the
nation, and a land of martyrs, who witnessed to their faith in difficult
times of persecution. I am grateful for the invitation to visit your
country, called 'the Land of the Eagles', and for your warm welcome.
 "Almost a quarter of a century has passed since Albania re-embarked
upon the arduous but rewarding path of freedom. This experience has allowed
Albanian society to take up the process of material and spiritual
reconstruction, to foster an increase of enthusiasm and initiatives, and to
create a spirit of cooperation and exchange with countries of the Balkans,
the Mediterranean, Europe and indeed with the rest of the world. This
rediscovered freedom has helped you look to the future with trust and hope,
establishing new projects and renewing friendly relations with countries
both near and far.
 "Respect for human rights, among which religious freedom and freedom
of expression stand out, is the preliminary condition for a country's
social and economic development. When the dignity of the human person is
respected and his or her rights recognised and guaranteed, creativity and
interdependence thrive, and the potential of the human personality is
unleashed through actions that further the common good.
 "There is a rather beautiful characteristic of Albania, one which is
given great care and attention, and which gives me great joy: I am
referring to the peaceful coexistence and collaboration that exists among
followers of different religions. The climate of respect and mutual trust
between Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims is a precious gift to the country.
This is especially the case in these times where an authentic religious
spirit is being perverted and where religious differences are being
distorted and exploited. This creates dangerous circumstances which lead to
conflict and violence, rather than being an occasion for open and
respectful dialogue, and for a collective reflection on what it means to
believe in God and to follow his laws.
 "Let no one use God as a 'shield' while planning and carrying out
acts of violence and oppression! May no one use religion as a pretext for
actions against human dignity and against the fundamental rights of every
man and woman, above all, the right to life and the right of everyone to
religious freedom!
 "What the experience in Albania shows, rather, is that a peaceful and
fruitful coexistence between persons and communities of believers of
different religions is not only desirable, but possible and realistic. The
peaceful coexistence of different religious communities is, in fact, an
inestimable benefit to peace and to harmonious human advancement. This is
something of value which needs to be protected and nurtured each day, by
providing an education which respects differences and particular
identities, so that dialogue and cooperation for the good of all may be
promoted and strengthened by mutual understanding and esteem. It is a gift
which we need to implore from God in prayer. May Albania always continue to
walk this path, offering an inspiring example to other countries.
 "Mr President, after a winter of isolation and persecution, the
springtime of freedom has finally come. By means of free elections and new
institutional structures, a democratic pluralism has been consolidated
which is now favouring economic activity. Many people, especially at the
beginning, chose to emigrate in search of work and a better standard of
living, and in their own way contributed to the advancement of Albanian
society. Many others rediscovered reasons for staying in their homeland,
wanting to build it up from within. The efforts and sacrifices of all have
improved the life of the nation in general.
 "The Catholic Church, for her part, has resumed a normal existence,
re-establishing her hierarchy and rejoining the threads of a long
tradition. Places of worship have been built or rebuilt. Among these, the
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel at Scutari holds a special place.
Similarly, schools and centres of education and healthcare have been
established for use by all citizens. The presence of the Church and her
activities are therefore rightly seen as a service, not only to the
Catholic community, but rather to the whole nation.
 "Blessed Mother Teresa, together with the martyrs who witnessed to
their faith - to whom we pray and offer our appreciation - most certainly
are rejoicing in heaven because of the work of men and women of good will
who contribute to the flourishing of civil society and the Church in
Albania.
 "Today, however, new challenges arise which must be faced. In a world
that tends toward economic and cultural globalization, every effort must be
made to ensure that growth and development are put at the service of all
and not just limited parts of the population. Furthermore, such development
will only be authentic if it is sustainable and just, that is, if it has
the rights of the poor and respect for the environment close to heart.
Alongside the globalisation of the markets there must also be a
corresponding globalisation of solidarity; together with economic growth
there must be a greater respect for creation; alongside the rights of
individuals, there must be the guaranteed rights of those who are a bridge
between the individual and the state, the family being the first and
foremost of such institutions. Today Albania is able to face these
challenges in an atmosphere of freedom and stability, two realities which
must be strengthened and which form the basis of hope for the future".

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