Zoran Zaev, who was twice credibly charged with corruption and escaped prison with the help of a presidential pardon and an acquittal by a subservient court, said that he takes to heart Pope Francis’ statement that Macedonia should fight corruption.

We should all learn from the mission the Pope spreads across the world, which calls for greater trust among us, removal of all those weaknesses which produce very unpleasant situations. These are painful issues for our citizens. I believe that we need to continue being good people, and to improve the countries of the Western Balkans in all these areas, Zaev said during a press conference following his meeting with the Pontiff.

Besides the need to fight corruption, Zaev said that Pope Francis also condemned the spread of fake news and the lack of zeal in the fight against global warming.