The Vatican’s Growing Prominence in Kosovo
The Vatican’s Growing Prominence in Kosovo

Summary/Abstract: In the three-plus years since the February 2008 declaration of independence in Kosovo – where over 90 percent of the population is at least nominally Muslim – the Vatican has sought to increase its presence, and now in more and more overt ways. Despite the fact that barely 5 percent of Kosovo’s population is Catholic, the Vatican is now going beyond its initial activities (formerly limited to bolstering the existing presence of Catholicism), as it perceives a strategic interest in attempting to convert Kosovar Muslims. Although the Vatican is not alone in this pursuit (chiefly American Evangelical organizations, among other Christian and Muslim groups, are also found in Kosovo), it does constitute the single most powerful external religious institution active in the country. The Holy See’s activities in Kosovo include increasing official personnel liaisons, erecting public buildings and operating religious educational institutions. Somewhat provocatively, these have included the construction of new schools in historically Islamic regions, like the southwestern region around Prizren, and proselytizing Muslims.

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