President Obama arrived this morning in Rome ahead of his first G8 summit. Obama is meeting privately with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and PM Silvio Berlusconi before traveling to L'Aquila, the earthquake-ravaged town that is hosting the international confab. The coming three days' talks will focus on climate change, foreign aid, Iran, and trade, reports the AP.
Obama has not planned a major speech for his visit to Italy, and the White House has dampened expectations of a breakthrough on climate change at the negotiating table. The most compelling moment of his trip may come on Friday, when the president has an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Italy is the second stop on Obama's summer tour; he will travel to Ghana Friday night.
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