The Pope of humane values ​​who inspires hope among Albanians

Ndue Ukaj

The writer Ismail Kadare, in the book “Breakfast at Rostand’s Cafe”, has a text entitled “Baron Groult”, written in Paris in 2004, where he talks about the visit that he, together with the French historian Pierre-Bordeaux Groult, made to Rome, more precisely to the Vatican. It was the Frenchman’s interest, Kadare says, and his insistence on visiting Rome and the Vatican, since the Albanian nation, “despite the dust and stones that have fallen on its head, is, if not the most European among the Balkan peoples, as he insists, at least among the most European.” Kadare, the greatest standard-bearer of the European identity of Albanians, describing his and the French historian's visit to the Vatican and Rome, to get to know as closely as possible the history of these relations, writes, among other things: "Just before 11 o'clock, we are in the Vatican. It is the first time I have been here. We pass the controls, the large inner courtyard, the galleries, which I have seen so many times in films, until we find ourselves in the cardinal's office. Groult speaks quite freely about everything, which I now know very well. The Vatican, he believes, will always be more and more attentive to the Balkans. A part of the history of Europe is now being played out there. But it is a nation right in the center of the Balkans that, unfortunately, is not being appreciated enough in these pictures. The Vatican, better than anyone, knows the Albanian nation historically, so it too can play an initiating role in what Groult calls 'a revision of the 'Balkan factor'”.

This text by the writer Ismail Kadare came to my mind as soon as I read the death notice of Pope Francis, whose connection with the Albanian nation was special and sealed something indelible, first of all with his first and surprising visit to Albania, then, with the sublime act of canonization of Mother Teresa, in a magnificent ceremony in "St. Peter's" Square in the Vatican, to continue with the act of official recognition of the sacrificial testimony for Religion and Fatherland and the beatification of Monsignor Vincens Prendushi and 37 other comrades, killed and executed by communist Albania.

Pope Francis' visit to Albania, beyond a pastoral visit, in the way it came, was a visit with numerous and extremely significant symbolism: Pope Francis decided to make his first visit to Europe, to Albania, on September 21, 2014, and this was a surprise to many, so it was followed with much enthusiasm, whispers, words, comments, analysis. Yes, because it was not an ordinary visit, and as such it preserved something of the essence of what Kadare explained, which was precisely that message of rapprochement, of recognition, of renewal of memory for the early ties between the Holy See and the Albanian nation.

And just as important as the symbolism of the visit, the second after Pope John Paul II, was the message he conveyed, when he remembered the martyrdom of the Albanian church, and left an unforgettable sentence, in the form of a testament, that was welcomed with joy by the Albanians.

Yes, the Pope mentioned the eagle, which, he said, should “remind you of hope,” continuing that “it flies far and high, but it does not forget its nest, but flies high. Fly high! Climb high, too.” This is what the Holy Father said to the many Albanians present at the Mass of Hope and Joy in Tirana.

That September day, I was in the great river of those people from all over Albania, I was very close to where the Pope's mass of hope was being celebrated in "Mother Teresa" Square in Tirana, and I saw the indescribable joy in the eyes of the people, a joy that had something sublime in itself, a force of renewal, an enigma that sought to be discovered, to be unraveled, resembling those enigmas of recognition and longing.

The Pope was revealing something. He was removing the stones and dust that had fallen on Albanian history, thus bringing a message of hope and reinforcing the argument that Kadare mentions, “that the Vatican, better than anyone, knows the Albanian nation.”

The Pope, at the beginning of his pontificate, came to console Albania and the Albanians, to give them hope, but also to bring the message of renewal, which the Albanians needed, after the many challenges they had gone through, captivity after captivity, oppressed and ruled.

And so, this visit, to the “land of eagles”, was a message of hope, a kind of testament, to simultaneously mark what the Pope would later affirm throughout his pontificate, human brotherhood, and in this regard, the Albanians, although a wounded nation, had something to give to the world. And the Pope underlined his message thus: “They say that Albania is the youngest country in Europe, that is why I am addressing you. You are the new generation, the new generation of Albania, the future of the homeland. Learn to say ‘no’ to the idolatry of money, ‘no’ to false individualistic freedom, ‘no’ to addictions and violence; on the contrary, say ‘yes’ to the culture of encounter and solidarity. In this way, you will build a better Albania.”

The Pope has often shown his admiration for Mother Teresa, and in Tirana, among other things, he said: "Mother Teresa is a great daughter of these lands. Peace in your homes!"

These words carried significant force, coming from the head of the Catholic Church and spoken in Tirana, decorated with portraits of Albanian martyrs, executed by the communists, most of whom were Catholic clergymen, patriots, writers, linguists, and ethnologists.

Amid a scorching sun, accompanied by rain, as a sign of blessing, the Pope addresses the Albanians:

"I came to encourage you to grow hope within and among you. I hope that the eagle you have on your flag will always hold hope in God who does not disappoint and stands by you in difficult moments."

It was a comforting comfort, especially for the fact that the Pope affirmed Albanian brotherhood as a precious value, coexistence, as a model for the world, and reminded us how important the weapons of peace are, if we use them, and how destructive the weapons of violence are, when they act, in the name of hate speech.

In messages he gave in meetings with political authorities, religious leaders, among others, the Pope spoke out against those who use God as a shield while planning to commit acts of violence. In this regard, his message was this: “To kill in the name of God is a great sacrilege!”

The Pope in Albania also said that Albania "proves that coexistence is possible."

Deep authentic connection

Albanian Christianity is early and has a deep and authentic connection with the Holy See, proven since early apostolic times, evidence that we find in biblical texts. These relations are also proven by the contribution of the Albanian and Dardanian lands in the organization of the early church, with the early saints of the church, however, these relations, due to historical circumstances, have from time to time had interruptions, lack of communication, misunderstanding, since, on Albanian history, those stones and that dust had fallen, about which Kadare speaks.

And it was Pope John Paul II who visited Albania, newly emerged from the communist hell, on April 25, 1993, at a time when the old, divided, exhausted, and impoverished nation was being renewed. Pope John Paul II, after kissing the Albanian soil, recalled the early ties of the Holy See with this country, mentioning Gjergj Kastrioti, this “Athleta Christi”, our national hero, who, according to this pope, was “respected by the popes of Rome and eternally alive in the memory of the Albanian people.” This is precisely the fact that Pope Francis brought to attention, on the 550th anniversary of the death of Skanderbeg, in 2018, when he hosted a group of Albanians visiting Rome and told them that the hero of the Albanians “courageously defended spiritual values ​​and the Christian name, to the point of deserving the title ‘Athleta Christi.’”

The visit of Pope John Paul II, at the dawn of democracy in Albania and at a time when in Kosovo, too, the great movement for freedom, democracy, independence, and return to the Western family had begun, was extremely hopeful. This visit gave another dimension to the Vatican's ties with the Albanians, it was like a kind of reunion after a long time of obstacles, of longing, for which, a very valuable contribution was made by Ibrahim Rugova, whose connection with Pope John Paul II and the Vatican was irreplaceable, it was special in all dimensions.

The legacy of peace, solidarity, and acceptance of others

Pope Francis left this world on Monday, April 21, 2025, the day after Easter, thus concluding his earthly mission on a very symbolic day. The day before, he celebrated the feast of the resurrection with his flock, and the next day, he left this world, thus becoming a model pope.

He left this world, full of turmoil, wars, hatred, division, and discord, leaving behind a legacy of peace, an example of solidarity, rapprochement, recognition, and acceptance of the other. Yes, he left behind the model of a humble man, who with daily, small actions, washing and kissing feet, visits to prisons, amazing images of hugging the sick, support for migrants, increased attention to the climate and the need to treat our planet, the Earth, with love, visits to poor countries. Thus, he gave the practical example of a Holy Father, showing paternal care for everyone, without ever showing laziness, fatigue or signs of disappointment.

The example of heavenly love

In another dimension, his pontificate will also be remembered as a time when the Pope renounced luxury, because he wanted to be a more authentic example of heavenly love, according to the model of Jesus Christ, unwavering in service to man and to all humanity.

"Who am I to judge?" was his phrase that sounded like a flaming torch against anyone who tried to pick up the stones thrown at another.  

And today's human society, sluggish, divided and fragmented, is hungry for good words, pure language, exemplary ethics, yes, today's world, needs the teachings of Pope Francis, and this was proven, these days, by the worldwide homages and honors that are being paid to his great figure and work, all over the world. Because, clearly, his unconditional and humble service to man and humanity remains one of the most exemplary models of our era.

By not judging others, but by setting a good example himself, he has already occupied a prominent place in human history, as a man of hope, and as a devoted guardian of humanism.

Because he did not fight battles in the name of a flag, language, nation, entity, but he fought a battle for Humanity as a Man, for the Earth.

Meanwhile, the time of his pontificate was full of turmoil, wars, pandemics, rivers of refugees, dangers from climate change, poverty, so it was a turbulent world, full of drama, hatred, walls, and throughout this time, he was not defeated, he did not give up, but reflected wisdom, security, creating bridges instead of walls.

Because he fought for human identity in the highest sense of the word.

A pope with an artistic soul

“I danced tango, I like classical music,” Pope Francis said in an interview with RAI channel 3. His connections with art were early. He had a relationship with Argentina’s most prominent writer, Jorge Luis Borges, when he was not yet a priest and he mentions it in the profound reflections he expressed in a letter published last year, on August 4, where he speaks of the role of literature in our formation, and, among other things, calls for the renewal of the love of reading, as a path that opens the mind, stimulates the heart and prepares for life. Further, by revealing the essences of artistic creation, Pope Francis highlights two aspects, for me essential, of art: art teaches us to listen to the other, and serves as a kind of telescope to see life, at great distances and infinite depths. The Pope also underlines "the value of reading novels and poems as part of one's path to personal maturity" and thinks of literature as a kind of gym for discovering the soul.

The eternal departure of the most careful guardian of human values, of a pope with an artistic soul, who did not cease to fight for higher values ​​until the last moments of his life, is a great loss for humanity, but also an opportunity to reflect on his rich legacy and use it as a guide for our time.

Pope Francis honored the Albanian nation, moreover, he affirmed its most positive values, proclaiming them universally. And for us, his teachings are necessary, firstly, to preserve brotherhood and to fight against corruption and oblivion, and secondly, to remove the stones and dust from our history, which Ismail Kadare spoke about in the text quoted at the beginning of this article.