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On May 9, 2026, approximately 3,000 young people gathered in Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome, for the « Lights of Europe » event. Many participants carried European flags and signs calling for a « United States of Europe » as part of the official celebrations for Europe Day. Organized by the European Parliament and European Commission offices in Italy, in collaboration with Roma Capitale, the evening featured high-level institutional representatives and focused on the future of the European project.
Statements by Raffaele Fitto
Executive Vice-President European Commission
« Yes, good evening to everyone. First of all, it is a great pleasure to be here tonight. I want to thank Roberta for being here in Rome and for wanting to send a very strong message here in Italy through this splendid evening, also regarding the presence of European institutions. I would like to make a very important premise. Present here are all the different European institutions, together with national institutions and many young people. It’s a very beautiful, very strong message, also one of perspective. And it is so, as also mentioned by those who preceded me, in a particular context like this one, where one breathes the history of Europe; a context in which one can see firsthand how much Italy has been a protagonist in its construction until today, and how much Italy and Europe must continue to work together to build this great project. »
Statements by Roberta Metsola
President of the European Parliament
« It is truly a great pleasure to be here in Rome, the birthplace of our Union, together with thousands of young people, as you can see, who believe in our European project and participate in it actively. First of all, I would like to thank the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, for hosting us in this historic place. There could not be a more suitable place to celebrate Europe Day. As you can see, a positive energy can be felt tonight, and that is exactly the signal that Europe needs. »
Statements by Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
« Today is the 9th of May. You know what day this is: it’s Europe Day. Today we reflect on what brings us together, what makes us uniquely Europeans. It’s our capacity to both treasure our differences and find strength in unity. It’s our unconditional love for our values: democracy, freedom, equality… and yes, it’s also our passion for football—we are quite famous for that too. Today we reflect on the place Europe has in our lives, directly and concretely. Maybe it’s a boost for our startups, it’s that Erasmus trip we will never forget, and it’s knowing we have the best quality of life in the world. And today, above all, we celebrate. We celebrate a Europe which cares for us, which works for us, which is made of each and every one of us. Today is our day. Happy Europe Day! »
Statements by Carl Bildt
Co-Chair European Council on Foreign Relations
« Well, a very complicated one, and one where Europe has to step up. We have to develop our own capabilities, our own forces, our own strength, be that diplomatic, military, and economic. And that will require a lot of determination by the European leaders in the years ahead. But it’s a necessity in the world of predators that we are living at the moment. »
On May 9, 2026, approximately 3,000 young people gathered in Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome, for the « Lights of Europe » event. Many participants carried European flags and signs calling for a « United States of Europe » as part of the official celebrations for Europe Day. Organized by the European Parliament and European Commission offices in Italy, in collaboration with Roma Capitale, the evening featured high-level institutional representatives and focused on the future of the European project.
Statements by Raffaele Fitto
Executive Vice-President European Commission
« Yes, good evening to everyone. First of all, it is a great pleasure to be here tonight. I want to thank Roberta for being here in Rome and for wanting to send a very strong message here in Italy through this splendid evening, also regarding the presence of European institutions. I would like to make a very important premise. Present here are all the different European institutions, together with national institutions and many young people. It’s a very beautiful, very strong message, also one of perspective. And it is so, as also mentioned by those who preceded me, in a particular context like this one, where one breathes the history of Europe; a context in which one can see firsthand how much Italy has been a protagonist in its construction until today, and how much Italy and Europe must continue to work together to build this great project. »
Statements by Roberta Metsola
President of the European Parliament
« It is truly a great pleasure to be here in Rome, the birthplace of our Union, together with thousands of young people, as you can see, who believe in our European project and participate in it actively. First of all, I would like to thank the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, for hosting us in this historic place. There could not be a more suitable place to celebrate Europe Day. As you can see, a positive energy can be felt tonight, and that is exactly the signal that Europe needs. »
Statements by Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission
« Today is the 9th of May. You know what day this is: it’s Europe Day. Today we reflect on what brings us together, what makes us uniquely Europeans. It’s our capacity to both treasure our differences and find strength in unity. It’s our unconditional love for our values: democracy, freedom, equality… and yes, it’s also our passion for football—we are quite famous for that too. Today we reflect on the place Europe has in our lives, directly and concretely. Maybe it’s a boost for our startups, it’s that Erasmus trip we will never forget, and it’s knowing we have the best quality of life in the world. And today, above all, we celebrate. We celebrate a Europe which cares for us, which works for us, which is made of each and every one of us. Today is our day. Happy Europe Day! »
Statements by Carl Bildt
Co-Chair European Council on Foreign Relations
« Well, a very complicated one, and one where Europe has to step up. We have to develop our own capabilities, our own forces, our own strength, be that diplomatic, military, and economic. And that will require a lot of determination by the European leaders in the years ahead. But it’s a necessity in the world of predators that we are living at the moment. »