“Next Sunday, with God’s help I shall visit Albania. I decided to visit this country which has usffered so much due to a terrible atheist regime and which is now creating a peaceful coexistence between its various religious components (…) I ask you all to accompany me with your prayers (…)”. Pope Francis reminded the faithful of his apostolic journey on 21September during the Wednesday audience, and with these words summarised the dual purpose of the “flash visit:” remembrance and dialogue, in a country which after 50 years of a painful dictatorship is now living a fruitful season of dialogue and interreligious cooperation, albeit in  serious social and economic conditions of poverty and unemployment. The Catholic and Orthodox minorities (which together constitute about  26% of the population, besides a big group of various evangelical Churches) maintain good ecumenical relationships between themselves and with the Muslim majority. Because of this the Pope wishes to help the Church and humanity  reflect on this successful interreligious cooperation while terror and violence continue to rage in the Middle East. Also in Albania there is a Focolari community which is actively involved in the preparations for this visit, with great joy and expectation. There are about 200 people of all ages and vocations. There are Catholics, Orthodox and also Muslim members, many of whom, are young, and who attended the Mariapolis, the typical annual gathering of the Focolari. “Recentely the community undertook ecologic activities, an aspect which is disregarded in our country, – of the focolarine un Tirana said. We are trying to communicate a culture of respect for the environment. During the last Mariapolis held in a city by the sea, we dedicated half a day to the clearing of the beach, On another occasion we cleaned a big park in the capital and repainted the garbage bins in another green area.” Also the New Families Movement and the Youth for Unity supported us from afar with around 60 children with the Schoolmates campaign, which paid for the studies of a group of young boys and girls. “The  Pontiff’s arrival is a historic event for our country –Nikoleta explained, – and we are infinitely grateful for having chosen usa s the first among the Balkan countries. He is coming to strengthen our faith in the Albanese Church and the message of peace which is an expression of his support,  is of utmost importance for all of us. Reegjina referred that this month there has been a great preparation in the parishes and communities with meetings to help us get to go in depth in Pope Francis’ ideas, and moments of prayer and collection of financial contributions to support the event. We each gave whatever we could. Donika,  a freelance journalist, affirmed that this visit is important not only for the Catholics but also for people of other religions, “or for those, like me, who do not refer to any religious faith, The values the Pope brings are universal, with no exception as to race, nation or belief. He has a big, great heart which tends to build up man rather than convert him and offers hope. This is the most important gift the Pope is offering to Albania.”