ROME-- The capital was preparing for the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump along with First Lady, Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka, the Secretary of State, Rex Wayne, and a huge delegation of US officials.

 Trump and his team will be arriving in Rome on Tuesday evening having already visited Israel and Saudi Arabia as part of his first official trip abroad since becoming President. Security measures have been amped up across the capital in anticipation of the huge international interest in the visit, with the whole world watching and waiting for an inopportune comment from the outspoken POTUS.

 There will be various red zones across the city as well as an antiterrorist unit, specialised gunmen, bomb disposal units, fast response units, and an increased carabinieri presence. Universities and social centres will also be under special observation to put a stop to any spontaneous protests.

 While in Rome, the delegation will stay in Villa Taverna, and have planned visits to the Sant’Egidio Community, the Quirinal Palace, and the paediatric hospital Bambino Gesù.

 The most hotly anticipated part of the visit, however, is Mr. Trump’s audience on Wednesday with Pope Francis, who disagrees with the POTUS on almost every global issue, from climate change to immigration. The two leaders have quarrelled publically in the past, specifically when the pope describe the then Republican candidate for presidency as “not Christian” for his desire to erect a wall dividing the US and Mexico, which Trump dismissed with a characteristically explosive statement, labelling the accusation “disgraceful”.

 Nevertheless, the pontiff has promised to listen, and be receptive to, what the President has to say, and is keen to find some common ground with the 70-year-old Republican.

 After his tour of the Eternal City, Trump will travel to Brussels, where he will attend a NATO meeting, and then to Sicily for the G7 summit before returning to the White House. 

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