Staff and students at Manhattan College welcomed the president of Albania Thursday in a historic visit.

President Bujar Nishani was greeted with a standing ovation. The trip was part of the president's effort to promote peace and unity. Nishani delivered a 27-minute speech that focused on his country's proud efforts of serving as a model of peace between Christians and Jews.

"We live in a multireligious society...where the members of all faiths co-exist in full peace and harmony for centuries," said Nishani.

The president has a few more stops in the U.S. before he returns home. He says he was treated with respect and dignity.