Tens of thousands of people -- mostly Muslims -- greet Pope Francis on the streets of Albania's capital Tirana on Sunday.

It's his first official visit to a European country.

(SOUNDBITE) (Albanian) RESIDENT OF TIRANA, BERTA NANAJ. SAYING:

"This is a big event for the Albanian people. We live in religious tolerance here and he is welcome."

The impoverished Balkan country has been hailed by the pontiff as a model of inter-faith harmony....

...due to good relations between its majority Muslim community and its Christian denominations.

Roman Catholics account for just 10 percent of the population.

After a welcome by Albanian President Bujar Nishani...

...he launched into his strongest criticism of Islamist militants to date.

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING: (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOT OF AUDIENCE)

"Let no one consider themselves the 'armour' of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and and oppression.