After the meeting he had with Pope Francis in the Vatican, the mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj gave an interview with the Italian television TG3.

He spoke about Tirana’s experience as the European Youth Capital for 2022 and about the new title that the Albanian capital will hold as ‘European City of Sport’.

“Europe is not a destination outside of us, but a destination within us. We have been a country of immigrants. Mountains of people boarded ships to come here, and now, for more than 10 years, we have hosted the Iranian opposition.

Last year we hosted the Afghans, and this year the Ukrainians. Therefore, I believe that all countries can change. If Albania has changed after the brutal communist regime, all countries can change and welcome people with dignity”, said Veliaj.

Veliaj was invited to this visit by Pope Francis, as part of the “European Year of Youth”.