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Bush holds first talks with Pope Pope urges Mid-East peace talks
(40 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has had his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI has told visiting US President George Bush that he would like to see a "regional and negotiated" solution to Mid-East conflicts.
Few details have emerged about the private talks that lasted 30 minutes. The Pope also raised the war in Iraq and the plight of Christians there and had an "exchange of opinions" on Latin America, the Vatican said.
The Pope was expected to raise the war in Iraq and the plight of Christians there, as well as the issues of abortion and gay marriage. The private talks lasted 30 minutes and were described as "cordial".
Mr Bush had pledged to be in a "listening mode" for the talks. He was later holding discussions with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. Mr Bush later met Italian PM Romano Prodi, as thousands in Rome were set to protest against the Iraq war.
The visit is the latest leg of the US president's European tour. On Friday he visited Poland after three days at the summit of G8 leaders in Germany. The visit is the latest leg of the US president's European tour.
Thousands of people in Rome are expected to demonstrate against the Iraq war on Saturday afternoon. On Friday he visited Poland after three days at the summit of G8 leaders in Germany.
Security concernsSecurity concerns
Mr Bush and the Pope shook hands and posed for photographs ahead of talks in Pope Benedict's private library.Mr Bush and the Pope shook hands and posed for photographs ahead of talks in Pope Benedict's private library.
In brief exchanges, Mr Bush described the just-concluded G8 summit as a "success".
But when asked by the Pope whether the dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin "was also good", Mr Bush said he would answer "in a minute" - before the two men went behind the closed doors.
The Pope was expected to raise the issue of the US-led invasion into Iraq, which he has repeatedly criticised.
In his Easter address, he said: "Nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civilian population flees."
It's a disgrace the Italian government elected by the votes of pacifists should invite him to this country Elio Luppoliprotester On tour with Bush Profile: Sant'EgidioIt's a disgrace the Italian government elected by the votes of pacifists should invite him to this country Elio Luppoliprotester On tour with Bush Profile: Sant'Egidio
The pontiff was also expected to raise the plight of the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians who have been forced into exile during the conflict. In brief exchanges, Mr Bush described the just-concluded G8 summit as a "success".
Former US ambassador to the UN John Bolton told the BBC that Mr Bush would give the Pope a detailed explanation of US policy on Iraq. But when asked by the Pope whether the dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin "was also good", Mr Bush said he would answer "in a minute" - before the two men went behind closed doors.
"But I do think it is a question of explaining the policy and not modifying it," Mr Bolton said. "The worrying situation in Iraq and the critical situation of the Christian community there" were among issues discussed along with "the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian question and Lebanon," the Vatican said in a statement.
Correspondents say the Pope and Mr Bush hold similar views on other topics they are expected to raise, such as abortion and gay marriage. The two men also discussed "ethical and religious issues" including human rights and freedom of religion, "the defence and promotion of life, marriage and the family, the education of new generations and sustainable development," it said.
There was an exchange of gifts and then Mr Bush spent a few minutes with Cardinal Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State and number two to the Pope at the Vatican, before leaving for a working lunch with Mr Prodi.
The BBC's David Willey, in Rome, says President Bush told the Pope about his plans for increasing American aid to Africa and particularly for increasing help to Aids sufferers.
CIA trialCIA trial
The BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is travelling with Mr Bush, says that while in Rome the president will face questions over US flights carrying terror suspects overseas.The BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is travelling with Mr Bush, says that while in Rome the president will face questions over US flights carrying terror suspects overseas.
Hours before Mr Bush arrived, the first trial over the CIA's "extraordinary rendition" programme opened in Milan.Hours before Mr Bush arrived, the first trial over the CIA's "extraordinary rendition" programme opened in Milan.
Twenty-six Americans and six Italians are accused of kidnapping a Muslim cleric from Italy and sending him to Egypt, where he was allegedly tortured. The CIA agents and US military personnel will be tried in absentia.Twenty-six Americans and six Italians are accused of kidnapping a Muslim cleric from Italy and sending him to Egypt, where he was allegedly tortured. The CIA agents and US military personnel will be tried in absentia.
However, Mr Prodi has said the case will not be on the agenda when he meets Mr Bush.However, Mr Prodi has said the case will not be on the agenda when he meets Mr Bush.
On Friday, Mr Bush met Polish President Lech Kaczynski to discuss US plans for a European anti-missile defence system.
Mr Kaczynski said Poland supported the system and reiterated Mr Bush's statement that the missile shield would not threaten Russia.
Also on Friday, G8 leaders said they had made clear progress on fighting poverty in Africa and global warming and pledged $60bn in aid to fight Aids, malaria and TB on the final day of their summit.
On Saturday, Mr Bush goes to Albania and Bulgaria.On Saturday, Mr Bush goes to Albania and Bulgaria.