TIRANA, December 2 – President Bajram Begaj visited the Holy See in the Vatican on Friday where, together with the First Lady, Armanda Begaj, he was received in a special audience by the Holy Father, Pope Francis.
Begaj expressed his deep gratitude for everything that the Vatican State has done for the Albanian people, especially after the democratic changes in the 90s.
The President praised the visits of Pope Vojtila in 1993 and Pope Francis in 2014 as strong messages of support for Albanians, for their history and sacrifices for freedom, independence and dignity.
Referring to the visit of Pope Francis to Albania, President Begaj said that the Pope’s assessment of interfaith coexistence and harmony in Albania makes all Albanians proud. The President assured Pope Francis that Albanians feel valued and are grateful for the decisions of Pope Francis and the Holy See for the canonization of Mother Teresa, the beatification of 38 martyrs of the Albanian Catholic Church, the appointment of Father Ernest Troshani as Honorary Cardinal of the Vatican, and most recently, the appointment of Monsignor, Arjan Dodajt as Archbishop of the Albanian metropolis of Tirana-Durres.
The President paid special attention to Kosovo in the meeting with the Holy Father, and invited him for a visit to Albania. /Argumentum.al
