18 September 2014, The Tablet

Modern state emerging from the shadows of history

by Marcus Tanner

 
Tomorrow, Pope Francis makes a one-day visit to Albania, until recently among the most isolated places in Europe. The majority of the country’s citizens are Muslim but it is determined to present itself as a model of interfaith tolerance – in contrast to its troubled past Albania may be one of the most impoverished countries in Europe, but that has not stopped the ­socialist-led Government from stumping up around US$6 million (£3.69m) dollars to refurbish Mother Teresa Square in the capital Tirana, where the Pope will celebrate Mass and lead the Angelus tomorrow. Perhaps with an eye on Francis’ arrival, Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that he, too, is a Catholic– a hitherto unknown fact he unveiled to everyone’s surprise while attending the r
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