ROME - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Rome Monday for a three-day official visit to Italy marking the first such trip to Europe by an iranian head of state since sanctions were lifted.

  This is his first trip since the recent accord on Iran's nuclear programme, since the deal with the United States to lift sanctions and as such will be keenly watched.

  Rouhani, who leads a delegation of six ministers and 120 businessmen and public-sector managers, was being received by President Sergio Mattarella at noon and the pair will then have a working lunch together.

  Rouhani was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at 7 p.m.

  On Tuesday he will meet the Speakers of the Senate and Lower House, Pietro Grasso and Laura Boldrini, and at 11:00 was to be received in the Vatican for an audience by Pope Francis.

  Signs of protest were visibile in Piazza Venezia over the weekend, showing their discontent with the President’s visit, highlighting “Iran finances terrorism”, amongst other concerns.

 jp-is