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Bush holds first talks with Pope | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US President George W Bush has had his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. | |
Few details have emerged about the private talks that lasted 30 minutes. | |
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. | |
Mr Bush had pledged to be in a "listening mode" for the talks. He was later holding 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. |
Thousands of people in Rome are expected to demonstrate against the Iraq war on Saturday afternoon. | |
Security concerns | Security concerns |
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'Egidio | 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'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. | |
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. |
"But I do think it is a question of explaining the policy and not modifying it," Mr Bolton said. | |
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. |
CIA trial | CIA 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. | |
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. | 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. |
On Saturday, Mr Bush goes to Albania and Bulgaria. |