Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in the Vatican today. Accompanied by his wife, Linda Rama, and his son, Zaho, his first stop was at the famous basilica in Genazzano.
"In the famous basilica, where the image of Our Lady of Good Counsel is located, on a piece detached from the wall of the Church of Shkodra in the distant year 1467.
Since that time, no Albanian head of state or government has crossed the threshold of the basilica, where our national flag always stands next to Our Lady of Albania, and where almost all the Popes of Rome have performed visits and rituals.
"The first thing Pope Leo XVI did as soon as he was elected was to come and pray in Genazzano to Our Lady of Albania, who is also called Regina di Albania - Queen of Albania ," Rama writes alongside the photos.
According to the made public agenda, the Prime Minister will visit the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, where he will be received in the "San Damaso" courtyard by the Prefect of the Papal Household and His Holiness' Gentlemen.
The reception will precede the audience that Rama will have with Pope Leo XIV, at the Papal Library of the Apostolic Palace.
Afterwards, the visit will continue to St. Peter's Basilica, in the Stanza delle Lacrime, Cappella Paolina, Sala Reggia, Sistina and the altar of St. John Paul II.
At the end of their stay in the Vatican, Prime Minister Rama and his wife will visit the burial place of Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Part of this visit will also include several other meetings, including a meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolini, Vatican Secretary of State.