You are now standing in front of the Catholic cathedral of Saint Paul. Let us start with the tall building behind you. Scroll the image section to identify the building. This building is one of the tallest buildings in Albania. This one is called Tirana Downtown One. If you look closely, you’ll notice some windows popping out on the exterior. They aren’t random — they’re arranged to form the shape of the Albanian map. It might not be easily recognisable but I have added a picture when it is lit up. Now let us return to the Catholic Cathedral of St. Paul. In front of the cathedral stands the statue of Mother Teresa, a Nobel laureate and an inspiring figure of the twentieth century. For those who may not know her, Mother Teresa, born Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje to an Albanian family, devoted her entire life to caring for the poorest and most vulnerable. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in India, and her work of service earned her the Nobel Peace Prize. Though celebrated around the world, her connection to Albania ran deep — even when she was not allowed to set foot here. During the communist era, Albania had declared war on religion. Despite her global recognition, Mother Teresa was denied the right to see her mother and sister, who were trapped behind closed borders. She begged for permission to visit them or bring them to Italy for medical treatment, but the regime refused. Even appeals from world leaders like the French President, Jacqueline Kennedy and the Vatican were ignored. One day, after leaving the Albanian embassy in Rome, Mother Teresa wept openly, whispering a prayer to God: “I can understand and accept that I should suffer. But it is so hard to understand why my mother has to suffer.” Finally, she received a telegram saying her mother had died. She never got the chance to hold her mother’s hand one last time. When the regime finally loosened its grip in the nineties, she returned to Tirana — not to see her loved ones, but to visit their graves. Her statue stands here not only because she is of Albanian heritage, but because she embodies compassion and faith. Another statue of hers stands at the airport that bears her name — Mother Teresa International Airport. Albanians often say, with great pride, “We are the nation of Skanderbeg and Mother Teresa.” Let’s talk a bit about religion in Albania. Roughly 70% of the population is Muslim, 20% Orthodox, and 10% Catholic. Within the Muslim community, there are both Sunni and Bektashi groups. There are also small Protestant communities. What’s truly special, though, is the religious harmony in this country. In many families, it’s completely normal to have a Muslim, an Orthodox, and a Catholic under the same roof. It doesn’t matter what religion your spouse follows — respect is what matters most. We will now visit the Albanian Pyramid. Look at the map to find the next stop.