Donald Trump begins official visit to Italy

Air Force One arrived from Israel at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport, where Trump and his wife Melania were greeted by Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano.

Trump, on his first trip abroad since taking office in January, is scheduled to meet the pontiff at the Vatican on May 24th.

President Donald Trump will hold brief talks with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Besides, Melania Trump is due to visit a Vatican-owned children's hospital, while Ivanka Trump will meet victims of human trafficking and the Sant'Egidio community of activist Catholics.

Massive security precautions have been taken in Rome, with the areas around the presidential palace, Vatican City, the American Ambassador's residence and the U.S. embassy temporarily closed to traffic.

Trump is also due to fly to Brussels for talks with European Union and NATO chiefs. He will return to Italy on May 25th for a summit of the Group of Seven (G7) on May 26th - 27th.

Trump came to the Italian capital from Israel, where he called on Israelis and Palestinians to reach a compromise for peace./.