US President George W. Bush has cancelled a plan to visit the St. Egidio community in Rome on June 9, apparently because of security concerns.
The American leader was due to travel to Rome’s Trastevere section on Saturday, to meet with members of the Catholic lay group in the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, where the St. Egidio community regularly gathers in prayer.
US officials had sought the opportunity for President Bush to meet with the group’s members. The St. Egidio community has been deeply involved in efforts to arrange mediation to end armed conflicts, particularly in African countries. The group has also taken a leading role in efforts to assist AIDS victims in Africa: an effort that President Bush has endorsed.
A spokesman for the St. Egidio community said that the Bush visit to Trastevere had been cancelled because of "logistical reasons." But Italian government officials said that security concerns had arisen about the president’s visit.
Bush will meet with leaders of the Catholic lay movement at the US embassy in Rome, spokesman said.
I suppose they were finding it difficult to secure all those winding, alley-like streets?
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