Pope meets Albanian president, recalls Mother Teresa

(Feb. 24) - Pope Benedict XVI on Friday received in private audience Albanian president, Alfred Moisiu, and the two recalled Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The saintly Catholic nun, an ethnic-Albanian, who later assumed Indian citizenship, became world famous because of her unconditional love and work for the poorest of the poor in Kolkata (Calcutta), the capital of the western Indian state of West Bengal. She founded the Missionaries of Charity congregation, who are continuing her work of mercy around the world. During the 20-minute meeting, President Moisiu, accompanied by his daughter Mirala, gifted the Pope a book of portraits of Mother Teresa painted by Albanian artist Maks Velo. Appreciating the book, the Pope said it would be interesting to interpret the paintings. The president also gifted a silver timepiece representing a tower in the capital, Tirana. Pope Benedict gave the Albanian president rosaries and medals of his pontificate.