Archbishop John of Albania receives greetings from global religious leaders

Archbishop John of Albania, head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, received numerous well-wishes from global religious leaders on the occasion of his name day, celebrated on September 26.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent a message describing the Archbishop as a ‘wise helmsman’ and a ‘loving spiritual father,’ wishing him health and strength in his ministry. Other prominent Orthodox leaders, including the Patriarchs of Jerusalem, Moscow, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia, as well as the Archbishops of Cyprus and Greece, also extended their greetings.

In a notable gesture of interfaith dialogue, Pope Leo XIV sent a message through the Apostolic Nuncio to Archbishop John. The Pope emphasized the importance of mutual respect, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence between Catholics and Orthodox Christians in Albania, encouraging joint initiatives in areas where cooperation is possible.