The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, was received in a private audience at the Holy See by Pope Francis, her office announced on January 23.

According to the announcement, Osmani told the Pope that Kosovo’s goal is recognition by the Vatican.

“The recognition of Kosovo by the Holy See affects the further strengthening of our citizenship and the country’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. Kosovo’s aim for recognition by the Vatican contributes to the further deepening and advancement of our centuries-old relations, as well as to the European path of our country”, she said.

Kosovo declared independence in February 2008, but the Vatican has not yet recognized its citizenship.

The announcement states that the president thanked the Pope for his 2018 decision to raise the Apostolic Administration of Kosovo to the level of a Diocese. During the meeting, they also discussed the relations between the two countries and “the care that the Vatican has shown towards our people, recognizing its civilizational values, which the world has seen embodied in the personality of Mother Teresa”.

President Osmani will be received today by the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Parolin. During her stay in Rome, according to the announcement, she will also be received by the Italian president, Sergio Mattarella.