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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