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Monday, 10 July 2006, 22:54 GMT 23:54 UK

In pictures: Rome hails Cup winners

Pilots fly Italian flag from cockpit window

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Italy's World Cup winning football team has arrived home after victory in the final against France on Sunday night.

Italian air force jets trail red, green and white smoke during flyover

Italian air force jets trail red, green and white smoke during flyover

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As the squad touched down at Pratica di Mare military airport in Rome, the Italian air force staged a flyover in their honour.

Fans crowding plane staircase

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Fans eager to greet the victors crowded onto the staircase leading up to the plane.

Captain Fabio Cannavaro holding World Cup

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As he exited the plane, Captain Fabio Cannavaro held the trophy aloft for all to see.

Fans follow Italy World Cup team bus

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All the way into the centre of Rome fans trailed the coach carrying the team.

Crowds surround Italy team coach

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Traffic came to a standstill as the coach crept through the city streets.

Totti holding World Cup

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Each of the players took turns showing the World Cup to the crowd - here Francesco Totti wields the prize.

Italians dancing in fountain

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People danced in the city's famed fountains and plazas.

People cheering Italian team

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And clambered onto any vantage point they could find to catch a glimpse of the team.

Crowd in the Circus Maximus

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The final destination was the Circus Maximus, where an estimated 500,000 people had gathered to see the team.

Crowds in Circus Maximus

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The ancient arena, expanded by Julius Caesar so it could accommodate some 250,000 spectators, was once the city's hippodrome and the scene of lavish chariot races.

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