“Let no one consider themselves the “armour” of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence!” This was Francis’ cry during today’s meeting with Albania’s political authorities, including the President of the Republic of Albania, Bujar Nishami, on the first of his European trips. Francis is visiting the country’s capital Tirana, which endured one of the most terrible communist regimes but managed to pick itself up. Tirana became an example of peaceful co-existence and collaboration between different Christian denominations and Muslims.
Upon his arrival in the Albanian capital, Francis received a warm welcome from thousands of people who gathered in the streets to greet him, some holding images of forty priests who were killed during the Communist regime. Speaking to journalists on the outgoing flight, Francis said Albania “has suffered a great deal”; nevertheless after the dictatorship it managed to find peace, partly thanks to the collaboration between the various religious communities.
In his address to the country’s political authorities, the Pope called the “country of the eagle” “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.” He reminded them that “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.”
“There is a rather beautiful characteristic of Albania,” the Pope added, “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 instrumentalized. 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 consider themselves to be the “armour” of God 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!” Francis said using words that evoked the reality of the dramatic situations many countries are currently facing, particularly Iraq.
“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 nourished 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.”
Finally, recalling the new challenges Albania faces, Francis said “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.” And development, the Pope underlined on his visit to the birthplace of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, “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 globalization of the markets,” the Pope said concluding his speech, “there must also be a corresponding globalization 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.”
