Pope Francis, hosted today at the Holy See in Vatican, a private audience with the President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci.

“Thaci stressed that Kosovo has continued to preserve patience, faith and values that we have as society – love and solidarity in family and society, respect for everyone’s dignity, tolerance and cooperation,” informs a press release issued by the Office of the President of Kosovo.

“Vatican is the guideline and motivator to remain unshakable on defense and promotion of these values. Therefore, we are proud of Mother Teresa, because no one in the World could defend and support these values as well as she did,’ he added.

President Thaci expressed satisfaction and gratitude for the friendly relations between Kosovo and the Holy See.

“However, we would want these relations to elevate to the equal level that all the other people of the world enjoy,” he stressed.

Thaci informed the Holy Father about the consolidation of the state of Kosovo, about coexistence between different communities and religions. "Kosovo is an example of dialogue between communities and religious coexistence," he added.

We are happy that the Cathedral of Mother Teresa in Kosovo was consecrated at the beginning of the month. Thank you for having sent to us Cardinal Ernest Simon," he added.

He briefed the Pope on the organization of the annual Inter-Faith Kosovo conference in which religious leaders, academics, politicians, scientists, among them many former state leaders and Nobel Peace Prize laureates meet and discuss deepening of dialogue among religions around the world.

Thaci informed Pope Francis about the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. "The aim is to close the chapter of conflict and open the chapter of cooperation," he said.

He further spoke about the dialogue with Serbia, on building good neighborly relations, normalisation of relations and reciprocal recognition. “So, we are working to promote values such as peace, dialogue, cooperation, tolerance and coexistence in Kosovo, region and the World. This is today’s Kosovo, even though many still remember Kosovo of the past – that of war and destruction,” Thaci said.

Finally, Thaci on behalf of all the people of Kosovo, conveyed to Pope Francis the warm invitation to visit Kosovo.