TIRANA, February 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican today.

The Prefect of the Papal Household and officials of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV welcomed him. This reception preceded the audience Rama will hold with Pope Leo XIV in the Papal Library of the Apostolic Palace.

Rama began his official visit yesterday. His wife Linda Rama, son Zaho, and the accompanying delegation traveled with him. The Holy See extended the invitation for the visit.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister visited the Genazzano Basilica. The site features the statue of Our Lady of Good Counsel. The statue sits on a piece of the wall removed from the Church of Shkodër in 1467.

The visit will continue in St. Peter’s Basilica. Rama will tour the Stanza delle Lacrime, Cappella Paolina, Sala Reggia, and Sistine Chapel. He will also visit the altar of Saint John Paul II.

At the end of their stay, Rama and his wife will visit Pope Francis’s tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.

Several additional meetings are scheduled during the visit. They include a meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.

/a.p./