Honorable Bishop of Kosovo, Your Grace Dodë Gjergji, congratulations once again to you and to all present,
Honorable representatives of the institutions,
Dear guests,
I am happy that tonight, on Christmas Eve, on this holiday of love, unity and hope, we have come together in the spiritual home that bears the name of our saint, Mother Teresa.
On this festive night, we remember our greatest example of kindness, Mother Teresa.
Our great mother dedicated herself to humanity, to the poorest, and built on their suffering the image of hope, love and unsparing help.
Tonight, following her example, we do not stop at just wishing each other a Merry Christmas, but reflect deeply on what makes this holiday so special. Beyond the twinkling lights that symbolize hope, we reflect on our generosity, solidarity and unity as a nation and as a society.
Christmas is an inspiration that reminds us that even in the face of challenges, hope must triumph. This holiday calls for mutual respect, towards the family that loves us unconditionally, towards the friends who stand by us and our compatriots, with whom we are connected by language, blood, and hope.
The magic of Christmas makes us turn our attention tonight also towards those who are far away, in service, but above all towards those who most need our care. Therefore, following the example of Saint Teresa, let us care not only tonight, but throughout the coming year, for those who await our help and need human warmth.
A sincere smile, a gesture of love, can brighten someone’s world and make ours more beautiful.
Christmas reminds us that light always finds its way in the face of darkness and that love has the power to transform people.
This night has an even broader spiritual, but also historical significance for us. Our rich history is intertwined with our spiritual tradition throughout the centuries. Therefore, tonight we also remember the Letter that the Apostle Paul addressed to the Romans, where he writes that the Gospel was proclaimed “from Jerusalem to Illyria”, testifying that these lands have been an early part of the history of Christianity.
Major Illyrian figures such as Constantine the Great and Justinian I, both Dardanians, who transformed by embracing Christianity and establishing its principles of the Roman law, also belong to this historic continuity.
Then, Saint Jerome the Illyrian, whose translation of the Holy Scriptures gave the world the Holy Bible. Pope Clement, also known as Pope Alban, whose legacy shaped not only the spiritual identity of Europe but also the moral and legal architecture of Western civilization.
On this Christmas Eve, we cannot help but remember the first Catholic martyrs, our saints Florin and Laur of Ulpiana. With the act of sacrifice, they bore witness to their faith and left a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
Our early connection with Western values leads us to the memory of the heroic “Athlete of Christ and Defender of Christianity” – Prince of Arbëria, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, who, with courage and sacrifice, defended these values that shaped our spiritual heritage. This historical inspiration finds continuity in the historic President Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, who, in August 2005, during the laying of the cornerstone of the Cathedral, emphasized that this cathedral “will be a sign of peace, dialogue and respect between all our citizens, serving as a bridge between our faiths and cultures”. Both figures, although at different times, are closely linked to Western values and are therefore guides in our Euro-Atlantic vision.
Their legacy and their vision, together with their continued commitment to humanity, inspire us to preserve and strengthen spiritual, cultural and diplomatic ties, building a future where peace, justice and solidarity will be the values that unite us.
In this historical and spiritual continuity, I had the honor of being received in a private audience a few days ago by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV. During this meeting, I once again extended my warmest congratulations on the commencement of his mission and cordially invited him to visit the Republic of Kosovo. In this spirit, we also discussed the role of Kosovo, our Dardanian land, as a country that has built peace and interfaith harmony on our historical experience of resistance, sacrifice and survival.
Kosovo remains committed to strengthening relations with the Holy See and advancing our historic friendship, guided by the values that unite us: peace, human dignity, solidarity and mutual respect.
Dear friends,
On this Christmas Eve, let us remember that the light of hope and love for others are those which can transform the world around us. Let us open our hearts and homes, not only for joy and celebration, but also for kindness, care and solidarity.
Let us draw inspiration from the deeds of Mother Teresa and all our historical figures, spreading love and hope to others, keeping our traditions and values alive.
May your days be filled with peace, health, joy and boundless love!
May you all have a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with blessings!
