German-born Pope Benedict XVI today set off for a four-day pilgrimage to Poland, the homeland of his predecessor, in what is seen as a mission to further the late John Paul II’s dream of improving Polish-German reconciliation from the wounds of the Second World War.

Tucked behind ancient walls and iron gates, Vatican City is protected by Swiss Guards armed with sabres, a small but efficient secret service packing handguns and a special Italian police corps.

ALITALIA has cancelled hundreds of flights as workers at the state-controlled airline walked off their jobs today for a second straight day.

Anti-globalisation protesters gutted an employment agency and threw rolls of toilet paper at police today as small scuffles broke out ahead of two rallies during the European Union summit in Rome.

A jetliner preparing for take-off at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport has nearly collided with an airliner which was set to land on the same runaway.

Two people have died after a bus plunged from an overpass near Rome's main airport.

A bus has plunged from an overpass not far from Rome's main airport, killing one and injuring several others.

Diego Maradona's return to Napoli could be jeapordised after his arrest in Italy over tax-evasion claims.