Pope Francis denounces extremists who 'pervert' religion to justify violence

Francis described Albania as an 'inspiring example' of Christian-Muslim coexistence

Pope Francis denounced how religion has been "perverted" to justify violence as he arrived in Albania to highlight a Balkan nation that endured brutal religious oppression but where Christians and Muslims now live and work together.

In his opening speech, Francis told President Bujar Nishani, Albanian officials and the diplomatic corps that Albania's interreligious harmony was an "inspiring example" for the world, showing that Christian-Muslim coexistence was not only possible but beneficial for a country's development.

"This is especially the case in these times in which authentic religious spirit is being perverted by extremist groups, and where religious differences are being distorted and instrumentalized," he said.

"Let no one consider themselves to be the 'armour' of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and oppression!" Francis said in the wood-panelled reception room of Tirana's presidential palace.

That harmony was on hand during Francis' main event Sunday: A Mass in a square named after Albania's most famous Catholic — Mother Teresa — attended by tens of thousands of people, including senior representatives of Albania's Muslim, Orthodox and Bektashi groups, seated in places of honour.

It was Pope Francis' first visit to a majority Muslim nation since the Islamic State crackdown on Christians in Iraq, with members of religious minorities being killed, persecuted or forced to flee their homes by militants. The Vatican has voiced mounting concern about the exodus of faithful from lands where Christian communities have existed for 2,000 years.

Muslims make up about 59 per cent of Albania's population, with Catholics amounting to 10 per cent and Orthodox Christians just under that, according to the country's official figures.

The capital's main Boulevard Martyrs of the Nation was decorated with Albanian and Vatican flags, as well as giant portraits of 40 Catholic priests who were persecuted or executed under Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha, who declared Albania the world's first atheist state in 1967. Hundreds of priests and imams were jailed, scores executed before the regime fell in 1990.

Francis paid tribute to these martyrs and those from other faiths, saying they showed witness to their faith even under persecution.

"Recalling the decades of atrocious suffering and harsh persecutions against Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims, we can say that Albania was a land of martyrs," he said in his homily. Deviating from his text, Francis thanked Albanians for their ancestors' sacrifice, recalling the national symbol of the eagle.

"Do not forget your wounds, but don't avenge them," he said. "Go forward, flying on the hopes of a great future."

Security was unusually tight for Pope's visit to the majority Muslim country amid reports that militants who trained in Iraq and Syria had returned and might pose a threat but Albanian police said they had the security situation under control.