Pope condemns Islamist militants
- 10 years ago
Tens of thousands of people -- mostly Muslims -- greet Pope Francis on the streets of Albania's capital Tirana on Sunday.
It's his first official visit to a European country.
(SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) RESIDENT OF TIRANA, BERTA NANAJ. SAYING:
"This is a big event for the Albanian people. We live in religious tolerance here and he is welcome."
The impoverished Balkan country has been hailed by the pontiff as a model of inter-faith harmony....
...due to good relations between its majority Muslim community and its Christian denominations.
Roman Catholics account for just 10 percent of the population.
After a welcome by Albanian President Bujar Nishani...
...he launched into his strongest criticism of Islamist militants to date.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING: (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOT OF AUDIENCE)
"Let no one consider themselves the 'armour' of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and and oppression.
It's his first official visit to a European country.
(SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) RESIDENT OF TIRANA, BERTA NANAJ. SAYING:
"This is a big event for the Albanian people. We live in religious tolerance here and he is welcome."
The impoverished Balkan country has been hailed by the pontiff as a model of inter-faith harmony....
...due to good relations between its majority Muslim community and its Christian denominations.
Roman Catholics account for just 10 percent of the population.
After a welcome by Albanian President Bujar Nishani...
...he launched into his strongest criticism of Islamist militants to date.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING: (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOT OF AUDIENCE)
"Let no one consider themselves the 'armour' of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and and oppression.