On Sunday, Pope Francis visited Albania where he called for the condemnation of Muslim terrorists and praised Albania for encouraging peace, The Associated Press reported.

In a visit to Tirana, the Pope spoke to Muslim, Orthodox Christian and Catholics from the country.

"To kill in the name of God is a grave sacrilege," he said. "To discriminate in the name of God is inhuman."

Pope Francis' trip marked the first time he had been to a Muslim country since the Islamic State terrorist group began attacking Iraqi Christians. According to CIA Factbook data cited by CNN, 59 percent of Albania's residents are Muslim, 10 percent are Catholics and 7 percent are Orthodox Christians. .

"Let no one consider themselves to be the 'armor' of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and oppression," Pope Francis said. "May no one use religion as a pretext for actions against human dignity and against the fundamental rights of every man and woman, above all, the right to life and the right of everyone to religious freedom."

He also spoke to Muslim leaders and others at a Catholic university.

"All those forms which present a distorted use of religion must be firmly refuted as false since they are unworthy of God or humanity," he said.

According to AP, Pope Francis made an opening speech to Albanian President Bujar Nishani, officials from the country and diplomatic corps. He said that Albania was an "inspiring example" for the rest of the world.

"This is especially the case in these times in which authentic religious spirit is being perverted by extremist groups," he said.

The pope also praised the Balkan nations for proving that "a peaceful and fruitful coexistence between persons and communities of believers of different religions is not only desirable, but possible and realistic," CNN reports.

---

Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

Related