The Vatican maintains a neutral stance in world affairs and has observer status in many international organizations. It has mediated in many conflicts, notably achieving the 1993 peace agreement in Mozambique. Pope John Paul II has traveled more extensively than any other Pope to promote peace, overcome religious and racial discrimination, support the rights of minorities, whether foreign or indigenous, and to spread Roman Catholicism. The Holy See now has diplomatic relations with Russia and other former Soviet-bloc nations, and in 1993 the Pope re-established the Catholic Church in previously atheist Albania.
