In pictures: Bush in Rome

US President George W Bush was in Italy for a 36-hour visit to the capital, including a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican.

The two leaders exchanged gifts. Mr Bush said that he had been "awed" by his meeting with the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

After talks with Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi, he said relations between the countries were "solid".

There was a strong police presence across the Italian capital. Some 10,000 officers were deployed in Rome to police anti-Bush demonstrators.

Two separate protests snaked across the city during Mr Bush's visit. Many came from beyond Rome to take part.

Although protests were mostly peaceful, police later fired tear gas into a crowd after bottles were thrown.

Mr Bush also met Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at his official residence in the Quirinale Palace.

The US leader apologised for the disruption his motorcade had caused to the already chaotic traffic of the city.

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