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Bush in Italy for talks with Pope Bush in Italy for talks with Pope
(30 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has arrived at the Vatican for his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.US President George W Bush has arrived at the Vatican for his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.
The Pope is expected to raise the war in Iraq and the plight of Christians there, as well as the issues of abortion and gay marriage.The Pope is expected to raise the war in Iraq and the plight of Christians there, as well as the issues of abortion and gay marriage.
Mr Bush will also hold discussions with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.Mr Bush will also hold discussions with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
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. On Friday he visited Poland after three days at the summit of G8 leaders in Germany.
During Mr Bush's one-day visit to Rome, thousands of people are expected to demonstrate against the Iraq war.During Mr Bush's one-day visit to Rome, thousands of people are expected to demonstrate against the Iraq war.
Security concernsSecurity concerns
The Pope has criticised the US-led invasion. In his Easter address, he said: "Nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civilian population flees."The Pope has criticised the US-led invasion. In his Easter address, he said: "Nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civilian population flees."
Two large ant-war protests are planned for Mr Bush's visit It's a disgrace the Italian government elected by the votes of pacifists should invite him to this country Elio Luppoliprotester class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6736823.stm">On tour with Bush class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6733713.stm">Profile: Sant'Egidio
The pontiff is expected to raise the plight of the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians who have been forced into exile during the conflict.The pontiff is expected to raise the plight of the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians who have been forced into exile during the conflict.
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.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.
"The president, over the course of the last four-and-a-half years, has made a number of efforts with the Vatican to explain America's position because of the importance he attaches to the moral force that any Pope has," Mr Bolton said."The president, over the course of the last four-and-a-half years, has made a number of efforts with the Vatican to explain America's position because of the importance he attaches to the moral force that any Pope has," Mr Bolton said.
"But I do think it is a question of explaining the policy and not modifying it," he added."But I do think it is a question of explaining the policy and not modifying it," he added.
Correspondents say the Pope and Mr Bush hold similar views on other topics they are expected to raise, such as abortion and gay marriage.Correspondents say the Pope and Mr Bush hold similar views on other topics they are expected to raise, such as abortion and gay marriage.
Mr Bush was also due to meet leaders of the Sant'Egidio Roman Catholic community - which is involved in charity work in Africa.Mr Bush was also due to meet leaders of the Sant'Egidio Roman Catholic community - which is involved in charity work in Africa.
The venue of the meeting was moved from the Trastevere neighbourhood in Rome to the US embassy for security reasons, Italian news agency Ansa reported.The venue of the meeting was moved from the Trastevere neighbourhood in Rome to the US embassy for security reasons, Italian news agency Ansa reported.
Arriving from Milan to take part in a protest, Elio Luppoli, told Reuters news agency: "It's a disgrace the Italian government elected by the votes of pacifists should invite him to this country."
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 at his retreat on the Baltic Sea coast, where they discussed his plans for a European anti-missile defence system.On Friday, Mr Bush met Polish President Lech Kaczynski at his retreat on the Baltic Sea coast, where they discussed his 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.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.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.