bˈɔːɹn ɪn ˌɛsˈeɪtʃkˈɑːdɹə ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd tˈuː, kˈɑːlɪki wʌz ˈɛdʒuːkˌeɪɾᵻd baɪ ðə dʒˈɛzjuːɪts hˈuː, ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪzɪŋ hɪz ɪntˈɛlɪdʒəns ænd pətˈɛnʃəl, sˈɛnt hˌɪm fɔːɹ stˈʌdi æt ðɪ æɹˈɪksaɪ kˈɑːlɪdʒ ɪn bɹˈɛsiə ɪn ˈɪɾəli.
Born in Shkodra in 1902, Koliqi was educated by the Jesuits who, recognizing his intelligence and potential, sent him for study at the Aricci College in Brescia in Italy.