Pope urges inter-religious peace

Pope Francis greats the crowds in Tirana

TIRANA – The pontiff’s trip to the predominantly Muslim country was a great success despite increased security fears, Vatican officials announced Monday.

Speaking in the crowded cathedral of Tirana over the weekend, the pope declared that by triumphing over the religious oppression of the communist regime, Albania had proved that “peace and fruitful coexistence between people and communities of different religions, is not only desirable, but truly possible and practicable.” Francis spoke particularly of the respect that people of different religions must have toward each other, emphasising that if such respect was possible in the Balkans, where for almost 50 years the people suffered isolation, repression and religious persecution, then it must be possible anywhere.

In a somewhat thinly veiled reference to the actions of Isis in the Middle East, the pontiff condemned those who murder in the name of God, as “sacrilegious”, he went on: “no one can think that they will be protected by God whilst they commit acts of violence and oppression.” References where also made to the persecution particularly of Christians, and whilst Albanian Ernest Simoni, 84, recounted his experiences of religious oppression during the communist era, onlookers noted that the Pope was moved to tears.

The youth of the Albanian population was also commented upon by the pontiff; he said “Coming from the airport I saw young people, there were so many of them! But this is a young population. And where there is youth, there is hope.” Addressing those young people, the pope warned against the traps of modern life, saying, “Know how to say no – to the idolatry of money, to the falsehood of individualism, no to addiction and to violence.”

Speaking later to a group of orphans at a centre around 30 kilometres from the capital, Francis’ message once again turned again to commercialism, he said, “Good pays infinitely more than money, which only disappoints.”