Italy’s president has resigned, setting off a scramble for a new head of state that will test premier Matteo Renzi’s ability to unite his own bickering party without alienating opposition support for electoral reform.

The Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican today.

POPE Benedict XVI made an official visit to the Italian president yesterday, just two weeks after the Roman Catholic Church was accused by some of interfering in an Italian referendum on assisted fertility.

Pope Benedict XVI made an official visit to the Italian president today, just two weeks after the Roman Catholic Church was accused by some of interfering in an Italian referendum on assisted fertility.