Hello!

Less than 24 hours separate us from the arrival of the Pope, whose first stop will be right here, at the Rinas airport “Mother Teresa”. The airport has been recently renovated also to welcome the Holy Father who, with his visit, has responded to the personal invitation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Like any family that makes special preparations to welcome a dearest friend, the Albanian Government, the Albanian State, has mobilized and organized in the last two months to host this dearest friend and all other friends who will attend this event of global dimensions. I acknowledge that it has not been easy to achieve in such a short time all our objectives and projects. Not because we do not know how to or we cannot do things, but because we did not think that this event would be reduced to one day protocol. It should have been this autumn’s event, this year’s event. An event for Tirana, for Albania, for Albanians and for the region. An event with many dimensions: cultural, spiritual, social and historical.

But this powerful mobilization was meant also to translate two messages conveyed by the Pope for his visit to Albania. In memory of the suffering of this people who for 40 years was brutally deprived from the right of religion and freedom of thought. Secondly, the Pope is coming with the special intent to greet this country that lives its religious diversity in peace, without generating conflicts, giving with this an excellent example that we can be together, although different.

That is why we anticipated the rehabilitation works in some areas, such as the square “Mother Teresa” and surrounding areas, the Palace of Congresses, the Museum of History, the airport. This was the reason why we prepared also a very rich cultural calendar, which was extended beyond the capital city and will continue after September 21.

Today, I am here in front of you with my team led by Mrs. Elira Kokona who has been managing all technical work, and in the capacity of speaker of the State Commission I want to thank all those who have worked intensely in the last two weeks and still continue to work with intensity, even now as we speak, so that everything will be flawless until the last minute.

I want to thank the Ministry of Culture and its tireless staff who are working 24/24; the Foreign Minister, my colleague Ditmir Bushati who has assisted us in every step and with whom we have organized everything.

I want to thank the State Protocol, all members of the State Commission for organizing Pope’s visit; representatives of the parliamentary groups, MPs, for their encouragement and support.

I want to thank the Municipality of Tirana for being cooperative and communicative in the common interest of the country and of the Albanian people and for actualizing some of our mutual commitments, showing that Albania has the potential to agree even when we are in different camps.

Especially, I want to thank Prime Minister’s cabinet that is an integral part of the Commission and which has been accompanying us in every stage and at every hour; Interior Minister Samir Tahiri, the Republican Guard for its professionalism, the State Police for its readiness.

Thank you also to the Ministry of Health for the organized support and health care that will provide tomorrow to Mass attendees; Ministry of Tourism for all the information already prepared for visitors of Albania on this great day.

I want to thank also the Municipalities of Shkodra, Lezha, Durrës and Rubik that have contributed to organize a good portion of our important cultural calendar for Pope’s arrival.

Allow me to express my special gratitude to the Catholic Church, to the Albanian Catholic Church with which we have shared in the last weeks difficulties and achievements, being  totally coordinated to overcome every difficulty; the Nunciature and State Protocol of the Vatican with which we agreed on every aspect.

A heartfelt thanks goes to all representatives of religious communities and their leaders, the Muslim community, the Orthodox Church and the Bektashi Community for their cooperation, communication, support and essential contribution in creating the spirit of a real harmony.

This spirit of interfaith cooperation with communities culminates with the opening of “Faith”, a very special exhibition organized by the Ministry of Culture and inaugurated today under the auspices of Prime Minister Edi Rama at the National Museum of History. The exhibition will be open throughout the month of October and, as Minister of Culture, I invite you to visit it since you will find there emotion and thought. I believe that our society needs more than ever both of these.

Now I want to address all citizens who will be in Tirana tomorrow to attend the Holy Mass. There will be many of you. I invite you to show the civic coexistence for which we are praised. Also, I appeal to all citizens, pedestrians and drivers to carefully follow all instructions that have been continuously given through the media, social networks, official government and ministries’ websites. It is important that you be familiar with movement restrictions, with service points and established itineraries.

Our staffs are fully engaged. State Police and volunteers that are helping with the organization will assist you with signposting to orient you. But we seek the cooperation of everyone to show understanding, patience and smile.

The visit of the Holy Father is a rare event, not only for the Catholic world but for the whole world. Albania will know how to prove that it deserves to be in the world spotlight tomorrow.

In the end a very special thanks is for you, the media, that have accompanied us in every step, reflecting the work, difficulties and our achievements that are also yours, for informing the public about everything and for being with us constantly.

Thank you, with faith!