Albania mourns Pope Francis, recalls his historic 2014 visit and message of religious unity

The death of Pope Francis has been met with deep sorrow in Albania, a country that held special significance for the late pontiff. Albania was the first European country he visited after being elected head of the Vatican, highlighting his respect for the nation’s interreligious harmony and historical resilience.

Why is this important: On September 21, 2014, Pope Francis made his first trip outside the Vatican to Albania. In his address, he praised Albania’s peaceful coexistence among its four main religious communities, calling it not merely religious harmony but “religious fraternity.”

Context: During the visit the Holy Father also noted that such harmony is vital at a time when extremist groups distort religion and exploit faith-based differences to incite conflict. Albania, he emphasized, proves that peaceful and productive coexistence among people of various faiths is not only possible but practical. “It is a value that must be protected and nurtured daily,” he urged, calling Albania an inspiration for other nations.

“I particularly commend you for a fortunate characteristic of Albania, which must be preserved with great care and attention. I am referring to the peaceful coexistence and cooperation among members of different faiths. The climate of respect and mutual trust between Catholics, Orthodox, and Muslims is a precious asset for the country and gains special importance in our time… It is a gift that we must constantly ask God for in prayer. I hope that Albania will continue along this path, becoming a source of inspiration for many countries.”

Reactions: The announcement of Pope Francis’ passing has drawn heartfelt responses from Albanian political and religious leaders alike.

President Bajram Begaj shared his condolences via social media:

“His Holiness, Pope Francis, ascended to heaven today, to the Father, to carry to heaven what he left as a legacy on Earth: compassion, love, and dedication to every person, every believer, and every faith. I will deeply cherish the memory of our meetings.”

Prime Minister Edi Rama, informed of the news during a campaign event, reflected on his personal relationship with the Pope:

“He constantly sent me messages through the Archbishop. I remember in one of our meetings, I said: ‘Your Holiness, you seem to have made many enemies by saying things no Pope has said before.’ He replied, ‘Prime Minister, if I don’t say these things now that I have the people’s attention, when will I say them and to whom—to the worms when I’m in the grave?’”

Opposition leader Sali Berisha also expressed condolences, calling the Pope’s death a great loss for humanity, Christianity, and Albania. Former Tirana mayor Lulzim Basha said he felt privileged to have awarded Pope Francis the title of Honorary Citizen of Tirana during his 2014 visit.

Reactions from religious communities: There were messages of condolences and mourning from all of Albania’s religious communities which remember the Pope fondly and with respect. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Albania called for nationwide prayers and church bell tolling to honor the Pope’s memory:

“We call on all diocesan, parish, and religious communities, and every believer, to pray for Pope Francis. From this evening, organize prayer moments in all communities, and ring the bells in mourning from the moment this letter is received. May Christ receive Pope Francis into paradise and grant him eternal light!”

The Muslim Community of Albania recognized the Pope as a tireless advocate for peace and interfaith dialogue:

“Today we lost a Pope who deeply valued interfaith dialogue, loved our country very much, and especially appreciated the Muslim Community of Albania for its role in society. In our personal meeting, he expressed high regard for Albania and emphasized the importance of religious coexistence.”

The Bektashi community leader Edmond Brahimaj called Pope Francis “a great spiritual leader and voice of peace, justice, and love,” recalling their recent meeting in January 2025 in the Vatican where the Pope reiterated his commitment to interfaith unity.

The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania honored the Pope’s dedication to the poor and marginalized:

“Throughout his mission as priest, bishop, and Pope, he demonstrated deep commitment to spreading the Gospel in various contexts, showing sincere care for the poor and marginalized. We especially value his efforts to foster understanding between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.”

As Albania mourns, it also reflects with pride on Pope Francis’ legacy and his unique connection to a small Balkan nation that he helped place on the global map as a model of peaceful religious coexistence.