ROME -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Sunday asked Paolo Gentiloni, foreign minister in the government of Matteo Renzi, to try and form a new government to run the country until new elections are held, the Quirinal Palace said.

 Gentiloni, a left-wing Catholic, was expected to return to see the head of state Monday to tell him if has a majority for a new cabinet, which then would face a confidence vote in the two houses of parliament.

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