Mother Theresa Cathedral — Attraction in Pristina

Twenty years after the death of St. Teresa of Calcutta, thousands of Christians and Muslims came together to celebrate the consecration, in her name, of this nation's first Roman Catholic cathedral.

St. Teresa Cathedral is also the only one in the world dedicated to the Albanian saint, who spent most of her life working in the slums of India.

The consecration Tuesday (Sept. 5), which falls on the one-year anniversary of her canonization in Rome, was long-awaited by the small but active Catholic community in Kosovo.

The mostly Muslim Balkan state declared its independence from Serbia almost a decade after St. Teresa — still often referred to as Mother Teresa — died in 1997.

Most Kosovars are Albanian — as St. Teresa was — and the Catholics among them have especially anticipated the completion and blessing of the cathedral.

"It is special for every Catholic in Kosovo and the region," said Bardhe Cetta, 39, a member of the choir that sang at the consecration and one of 5,000 people who attended the ceremony. “It’s not the first time that we are singing in (this) church but this time it is something special. So for me, today is a big day.”

Although the Holy See still does not recognize Kosovo's 2008 independence from Serbia, Pope Francis appointed the 88-year-old Fr. Ernest Troshani Simoni as his special envoy to lead the ceremony, attended by local Catholic bishops, ambassadors, soldiers from NATO's peacekeeping force and other dignitaries as well as the faithful.

Simoni, an Albanian priest, survived nearly 30 years of torture while in labor camps under the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. The priest was twice sentenced to death at a time when the government banned practicing religion. In 2016, Pope Francis named Simoni as Albania’s new cardinal.

Simoni told the audience it was a special honor to be at the sanctuary.

"It was a great joy for me when I heard from the pope that I personally would come to Pristina, to send my heartfelt congratulations to the Kosovar-Albanian brothers, and that the Lord's blessing be in the hearts of all Kosovars,” Simoni said.

For over two hours, priests and bishops from the region participated in a holy Mass as part of the consecration ceremonies. Priests blessed different areas of the cathedral with oil, including a newly mounted wall sculpture of St. Teresa and a stone altar. Kosovo’s president, Hashim Thaci, who is Muslim, gave a speech.

Though Kosovo's estimated 65,000 ​Catholics represent a small fraction of the ​nation's predominantly Muslim population of 1.8 million, their faith has strong roots in the region.

When the Ottoman Empire — historically centered in Istanbul – ruled Kosovo from the early 15th century until 1912, most Albanians converted to Islam. But some Catholics remained. Mother Teresa was born in 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia, which at the time was the capital of the Ottoman Turkish province of Kosovo. Her parents were Albanian.

“We need to reclaim the centuries because, since the arrival of the Ottomans, hundreds of churches and cathedrals were destroyed,” said Fr. Lush Gjergji, the general vicar of Kosovo’s Catholic diocese and also Mother Teresa’s close friend and biographer.

He noted that only one church from before the 1500s exists today in Kosovo. “When Kosovo was all Catholic, we had more than 10 cathedrals.”

Now there are 40 churches and 24 parishes throughout Kosovo, and one cathedral.

Straddling the intersection of Bill Clinton Street and George Bush Street in the heart of Pristina, the new sanctuary is Kosovo’s tallest building, with its 250-foot bell tower offering 360-degree views of the capital.

It opened its doors to the public in 2010, though the foundation for the cathedral was ceremonially laid in 2005 by Kosovo’s then-president, Ibrahim Rugova. Since then, the diocese has struggled to finish...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Must-See Modern Masterpiece in Pristina

I had the pleasure of visiting the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa in Pristina, and it left an indelible impression on me—truly deserving of a five-star review!

Architecture & Atmosphere This cathedral stands out with its elegant modern-Romanesque design, soaring ceilings, and expansive windows that fill the space with soft, natural light. It beautifully marries contemporary aesthetics with spiritual serenity—unlike the typical ornate old-style churches. Visitors often commend this "modern and simplistic style" and lively yet peaceful environment.

Tower & Views One unforgettable highlight is the bell tower. For just €2, you can ride the elevator up to the third floor and enjoy sweeping panoramic views of Pristina’s skyline—worth every cent. Reviewers describe it as "amazing" and "a great overview of the city."

Spiritual & Cultural Significance Inside, the cathedral pays thoughtful homage to Mother Teresa with statues, artworks, and symbols reflecting both her Albanian heritage and global legacy. The sense of peace and reverence is palpable—many visitors mention the cathedral as a serene refuge in the heart of the city.

Accessibility & Visitor Experience The site is very visitor-friendly. Accessible ramps and elevators ensure everyone can explore, and the friendly, knowledgeable staff enhance the experience. The venue makes a strong effort to educate, with informative plaques and historical exhibits throughout.

Overall Impression A modern architectural gem, rich in meaning and comfort, offering reflection, cultural connection, and splendid views all in one spot. Despite its still-evolving construction, it captivates. It’s no surprise that it ranks among Pristina’s top...

It is a must-see place in Prishtina, including the bell tower. See the link for drone footage of the Mother Theresa Cathedral offering bird's eye view perspective: https://youtu.be/0n9zLseP-Y8 On 26 August 2005, on the 95th anniversary of the birth of Mother Theresa, the stone foundation was laid by the Historic President of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, the Kosovo Bishop Mark Sopi and Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick . The cathedral was inaugurated on 26 July 2010 on the 100th anniversary the birth of Mother Theresa. On the day of inauguration, the former Kosovo President , in the ceremony said:

Today is a great day for the Kosovo capital and its citizens, because we are blessing the stone foundation of a holy temple dedicated to the beloved Albanian-Kosovo Mother and the Mother of Humanity - the blessed Mother Teresa - the one who glorified the honor of Kosovo and Albanians all over the world, affirming our values and helping all humanity", said President Rugova during the ceremony.

Part of the Cathedral is the tower which offers spectacular 360-degree views of Prishtina city. To go up, the cathedral elevator is available where for a symbolic fee you will find yourself enjoying the bird's view perspective in a matter of a...