Pope Francis has expressed hope for deeper ties between the Catholic Church and Albania’s Autocephalous Orthodox Church as His Beatitude Joan was enthroned as Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania on Saturday.
The Vatican sent a delegation led by Archbishop Flavio Pace, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, to the ceremony in Tirana. He was joined by Msgr. Andrea Palmieri, Undersecretary of the same Dicastery, and Msgr. Ionuţ Paul Strejac, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Apostolic Nunciature in Tirana.
In a letter to Archbishop Joan, Pope Francis extended his “fraternal greetings in the love of Christ.”
“I assure you of my prayers that God the Father, source of all good, will grant you the abundant gifts of the Holy Spirit as you guide the flock entrusted to your care,” the Pope wrote.
The pontiff also paid tribute to Archbishop Joan’s predecessor, His Beatitude Anastas, praising his commitment to interfaith harmony and his efforts to strengthen relations between Christian denominations.
“Anastas distinguished himself by his commitment to peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths,” Pope Francis said, “and he contributed significantly to the improvement of relations between our Churches.”
Pope Francis urged Archbishop Joan to continue fostering dialogue to overcome divisions and work towards Christian unity.
“In these difficult times marked by war and violence,” he wrote, “it is ever more urgent that Christians bear credible witness to unity, so that the world may fully embrace the Gospel message of fraternal solidarity and peace.”
The Pope emphasized the responsibility of Christians to demonstrate their shared faith, despite doctrinal differences.
“It is my heartfelt hope,” he said, “that under your leadership, relations between the Orthodox Church of Albania and the Catholic Church will strengthen, finding new ways to collaborate in proclaiming the Gospel, aiding those in need, and addressing theological differences through dialogue.”
Concluding his message, Pope Francis assured Archbishop Joan of his prayers and extended “a fraternal embrace in Christ our Lord.”
