# Albania declares itself atheist (1967)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1967-albania-declares-itself-atheist
Location: Albania
Themes: Persecution

Enver Hoxha's regime closes every church and mosque and proclaims Albania the world's first atheist state. All religious practice is banned until 1990. At this point in the timeline (1967), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Paul VI (21 June 1963 – 6 August 1978).

## Why it matters
It was the most complete attempt by any state to abolish religion.

Pope at the time: [Pope Paul VI](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-paul-vi)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — State atheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_atheism)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Albania declares itself atheist](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Albania+declares+itself+atheist)
- [Wikipedia — Modern Era (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_20th_century)