Albania–Holy See relations


The Albania–Holy See relations refer to the current and historical relations of Albania and the Holy See. The Holy See has an Apostolic Nunciature in Albania, which represents diplomatically the Holy See.
The representative is officially called 'Apostolic Nuncio to Albania' and has an ambassador status. The office of the nunciature is located in the capital of Tirana.

History

The history of the relations between the countries, began in the middle ages, when Skanderbeg became the chief commander of the crusading forces of Pope Pius II. Later, Giovanni Francesco Albani became the Pope from 1700 to 1721. He was born to an Albanian father descended from the noble Albani family from the region of Malësi e Madhe in Albania.
The Apostolic Nunciature in Albania started as an Apostolic delegation to Albania by Pope Benedict XV on 12 November 1920, and was elevated to the full rank of a nunciature by Pope John Paul II on 16 January 1991. The current Apostolic Nuncio to Albania is His Excellency Charles John Brown, who was appointed by Pope Francis on 9 March 2017.

List of Apostolic Delegates and Nuncios to Albania