Authorities in the Albanian capital Tirana have been preparing to welcome Pope Francis on his first visit to a European country.<br /><br />Catholicism has regained its place in the largely secular nation, where Islam has the widest following. <br /><br />It is a significant visit since under the communist regime of Enver Hoxha, between 1944 and 1985, Catholic priests were persecuted, and he banned all religion outright in 1967.<br /><br />“It is of no importance in my case whether I am Catholic, Orthodox or Muslim”, said one local resident Ksenofon Dilo, “the Pope is coming to see our country, a country that has suffered a lot, and he is coming to say many things, including telling us to preserve the peaceful coexistence of different faiths”.<br /><br />A chapel in Derven, 30 kilometres north of the capital, is seen as a symbol of that harmony. It was rebuilt for the third time last year with the help of 15 local Muslim families.<br /><br />“Albania is a wonderful example of this harmony and Pope Francis is coming to confirm this harmony, peace and brotherly love among believers’‘, said parish priest Carmine Leuzzi. <br /><br />Catholics only make up around 10 percent of of the population in Albania, but they see this visit as an affirmation their desire to reunite with a wider Europe after so many years of isolation during the communist era.
