Mayor Eric Adams has left New York for the “Eternal City” of Rome. 

Adams left Thursday to meet the pope in Italy and attend the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, where he discussed with world leaders city and international issues. 

What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Eric Adams landed in Italy on Friday morning as part of a conference with international leaders

  • Adams will be in Rome over the weekend and his trip includes a meeting with Pope Francis

  • So far, Adams has met with some deputy mayors and the mayor of Rome to talk about public transportation, asylum seekers and other important issues

The trip is not unusual for Adams and other mayors who regularly travel for conferences and to meet international leaders.  

“Part of an overall finding of common ground, how we are dealing with migrants, asylum seekers, how we deal with affordable housing, our economy, sustainability, just some important issues,” Adams said. 

The first stop on the trip was the Colosseum. Adams visited the metro station near the fabled site on Friday.

Adams noted the city is using advanced technology that could be helpful in New York. 

“They use a boring machine. Not only does it dig the tunnel for the subway and the train, but it also seals the walls as it bores through. I think this technology that I have seen over and over again by different companies, I think it’s something that if we’re not looking into we should look into,” Adams said.  

Adams also visited a former slaughterhouse that is now being converted into an art space. The mayor said the visit inspired him to look at blighted areas in the city that could also transform. 

“I’m going to sit down with the team and look at, what are some of the places we can potentially convert into an artist space and community space and allow people to come together and meet together,” he said.  

The mayor also briefly spoke to a group of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. He said his takeaway from the discussion was their appreciation for New York City. 

“I don’t hear people bragging about visiting any other city the way they hold this level of admiration about it here,” Adams said.  

Adams also met with the Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri. The two discussed many topics, including asylum seekers. 

“What really jumped off at me in my conversations with the mayor is how quick they are able to work. One of the requirements is that you learn the language of the country, basic Italian. You are allowed to work in a short period of time, anywhere from two months,” he said. 

Adams said he plans to visit some migrant housing locations while in Rome. 

The conference kicked off Friday night and will go into Saturday. 

While in Rome, Adams is expected to meet with Pope Francis. The mayor, a Christian but not a Catholic, said the meeting is an important moment in his spirituality. 

“This is my way of showing respect to religion on a whole,” Adams said. “He’s a credible messenger. He’s an influencer. His voice on these topics will cause those who would traditionally ignore the topic to sit up and take note.” 

The mayor’s trip is not being funded by taxpayers but by the Fratelli Tutti foundation that hosts the conference. 

Adams is expected back in the city on Monday.