Pope Francis’ choice of Albania as the destination of his first international trip in Europe reflects his trademark pastoral approach: head to the peripheries; bring healing to the suffering. But his Sept. 21 visit to the poor, Muslim-majority nation also will highlight, to a world increasingly torn apart by sectarian strife, a hopeful example of Muslims and Christians living in harmony. “The presence of the pope will say to the people, ‘See you can work together,’” Pope Francis told reporters last month, praising the Albanian government’s efforts to promote interreligious cooperation. “The pope values this, wants to show Albania as an example and encourage it,” said the Rev. Gjergj Meta, media coordinator for the Archdiocese of Tirana-Durres. Catholics make up only about 16 percent of Albania’s three million inhabitants; about 65 percent are Muslim and 20 percent Orthodox. Yet Muslims, Orthodox Christians and even people of no faith “see the pope as a charismatic person who defends the weak and the voiceless,” Father Meta said.
Albania Harmony
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
On Inside the Vatican, we explore Pope Leo’s persistent calls for peace and his unexpected support for journalist Paola Ugaz, who exposed abuse in a powerful Peruvian lay group suppressed by Pope Francis.
On Tuesday night, Mr. Mamdani pulled off a shocking upset and finished first in the initial round of vote-counting in the Democratic primary for mayor. What can his campaign teach the Catholic Church about energizing “Gen Z”?
Though other factors are surely at play, church leaders in Nigeria insist the attacks are part of a systematic campaign to drive Christians from the region or force their conversion.
How should American Catholics respond to the U.S. attacks on Iran? Perhaps the Feast of Corpus Christi offers a counterpoint to the god of war, power and vengeance invoked by so many today.