European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed "a heartfelt apology" to Italy on behalf of Europe for not being at the country's side from the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed more than 22,000 lives in the continent's worst-hit nation.

"It is true that no one was really ready for this. It is also true that too many were not there on time when Italy needed a helping hand at the very beginning," she said in a speech to the European Parliament on Thursday. "And yes, for that, it is right that Europe as a whole offers a heartfelt apology."

But she also said that after a bad start, the EU has shown it is capable of solidarity, citing the many examples of European cooperation of the past weeks－with doctors, medical equipment and patients moved across borders.

"The truth is that it did not take long before everyone realized that we must protect each other to protect ourselves," she said. "And the truth is too that Europe has now become the world's beating heart of solidarity."