Pope Leo XIV received Albanian President Bajram Begaj in audience on May 25, during an official visit to the Vatican focused on bilateral relations and regional developments in the Western Balkans.

Following the meeting with the Pope, President Begaj held talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the discussions at the Secretariat of State were held in a “cordial atmosphere,” during which both sides expressed appreciation for the strong bilateral relations between Albania and the Holy See, as well as their intention to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The statement added that the talks also addressed several international issues, with particular attention given to the Western Balkans region and Albania’s path toward membership in the European Union.