In his first trip as pope to a European country, Pope Francis has spoken out against those who use religion as a pretext of their violence, praising Albania as an example of good relations between the country’s Muslim majority and Christian minorities.
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"Let no one consider themselves the 'amour' of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and oppression," the Pope said at the presidential palace in Tirana, responding to an address by the Albanian president, Bujar Nishani, who is Muslim, The Guardian reported.
"May no one use religion as a pretext for actions against human dignity and against the fundamental rights of every man and woman, above all to the right to life and the right of everyone to religious freedom," he added, in an apparent reference to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The Pope went on to say, “No one must use the name of God to commit violence."
"To kill in the name of God is a grave sacrilege. To discriminate in the name of God is inhuman," he added.
The pope made his comments during a one-day visit to Albania, during which he praised the good relations between its majority Muslim community and its Christian denominations.
In Tirana, Francis lauded the mutual respect and trust between Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox Christians in Albania as a "precious gift" and a powerful symbol in today's world.
“There is a rather beautiful characteristic of Albania, one which gives me great joy: I am referring to the peaceful coexistence and collaboration that exists among followers of different religions,” the Pope said during the first address of his one-day trip to the Balkan nation.
“The climate of respect and mutual trust between Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims is a precious gift to the country,” he said.
This is the Pope's first trip to a European country outside Italy since he took office in 2013.
He earlier said he wanted to visit the Balkan nation because it had "suffered very, very much".
According to the BBC, some 60% of Albanians are Muslim, while Roman Catholics account for about 10%. The country also has an Orthodox Christian population of just below 10%.
