Pope praises brotherhood forged among Albania’s religions

Last updated on: September 22, 2014 at 5:42 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope praises brotherhood forged among Albania’s religions 2014-09-22T17:42:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Aboard the papal plane, Sep 22, 2014 / 11:42 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on the return flight from Albania praised the country for its youth and its “higher culture” that is “capable of building brotherhood” among Christians and Muslims.

The Pope said Albania is “a European country,” evidenced by the cooperation between Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Catholics. He stressed the importance of the majority Muslim country’s culture of “living together,” “tolerance” and “fraternity.”

During an in-flight press conference Sept. 21, he said he was impressed by the country’s youth “from the beginning,” Vatican Radio reports.

The Pope told journalists that his trip to the country, traditionally regarded as on the periphery of Europe, was intended as a “sign I wanted to give.”

The Pope also discussed the persecution of religious believers under Albania’s twentieth century communist government.

“It was a cruel period, the level of cruelty was terrible,” he lamented.

The Pope recalled the sight of posters of those killed under the communist dictatorship, Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims, “because they said they believe in God.”

“Each of the three communities have given a witness to God and now bear witness to their fraternity,” he said.

He said he was driven to tears by the testimony of a priest jailed for 27 years.

The Pope also confirmed two other papal trips later this year.

On Nov. 25 Pope Francis will visit Strasbourg, France to visit the European Council, the European Union’s leadership body, as well as the European Parliament, the EU’s legislative body. On Nov. 30, he will celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew in Istanbul with Orthodox Christian Patriarch Bartholomew.

Europe

Previous Post

September 22, 2014

A delayed desire: Albanian priest waited decades for ordination

Next Post

September 22, 2014 Thousands of prayerful witnesses dwarf black mass turnout in OKC

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Gospel" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Good News Holy Word Sacred Story God's Truth