Frances D'emilio

Read the latest stories and analysis from Frances D'emilio.

Florence Mayor and Italian center-left Democratic Party leader Matteo Renzi drives away as he is chased by reporters following a meeting with Premier Enrico Letta at Chigi Palace government office, in Rome, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014. Letta battled Wednesday to stay in office amid a power play by supporters of the dynamic head of his party, Renzi, to replace him as premier in the latest chapter to convulse Italy's fragile political stability. Renzi arrived at Letta's office at Palazzo Chigi for a make-or-break meeting ahead of a Democratic Party summit on Thursday that is expected to determine the government's next steps. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

Italian politics again in chaos over power play

Frances D'emilio · February 12, 2014 4:54 pm

FILE - In this Nov. 26, 2012 file photo Mayor of Florence Matteo Renzi attends the Italian State RAI TV program "Che Tempo che Fa", in Milan, Italy. Renzi is a brash, kid-faced dynamo who is injecting fresh blood into Italy's sclerotic politics _ and the left's great hope now that Silvio Berlusconi's criminal convictions keep the long-time leader out of power. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, file)

Brash, ambitious mayor shakes up Italian politics

Frances D'emilio · February 9, 2014 10:30 am

Pope Francis, right, delivers his blessing flanked by Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith, of Sri Lanka, after a mass for the Sri lankan community in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope to South Korea more likely, to honor martyrs

Frances D'emilio · February 8, 2014 3:38 pm

In this picture taken Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, a dove which was freed by children with Pope Francis during his Angelus prayer, is attacked by a black crow in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican. Animal rights groups are appealing to Pope Francis to end a practice of releasing doves over St. Peter's Square, a day after a pair of the peace symbols were attacked by a seagull and crow. The National Animal Protection Agency published an open letter Monday reminding Francis that domesticated doves are easy prey for predators like gulls living in the wild. Gulls nest atop the colonnade of St. Peter's Square, far from natural seaside habitats, but scavenge garbage for food in Rome. The agency said freeing doves in Rome is like "condemning them to certain death." Pro-animal advocate and ex-tourism minister Michela Brambilla told The AP she was confident, Francis, with his "extraordinary love" for all creatures, would reconsider. The Vatican didn't immediately comment on the dove attack. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pro-animal groups appeal to pope over dove attack

Frances D'emilio · January 27, 2014 10:56 pm

Pope Francis presides over a Vespers ceremony at Rome's St. Paul Basilica, at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope: Women should play expanded role in Church

Frances D'emilio · January 25, 2014 6:13 pm

Italy protests Vienna pub making fun of mob’s dead

Frances D'emilio · June 8, 2013 8:03 pm

Conservative Rome mayor trails in re-election bid

Frances D'emilio · May 27, 2013 7:55 pm

Pope Francis embraces Paul Bhatti, brother of the assassinated member of the Pakistani National Assembly Shahbaz Bhatti, on the occasion of a Pentecostal vigil in St. Peter Square at the Vatican, Saturday, May 18, 2013.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope leads pep rally at Vatican, meets with Angela Merkel

Frances D'emilio · May 18, 2013 4:00 am

Pro-Berlusconi rally in Italy draws cheers, jeers

Frances D'emilio · May 11, 2013 6:21 pm

Italian premier-designate Enrico Letta, right, and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano meet the media at the Quirinale presidential palace, in Rome, Saturday, April 27, 2013. Italy has finally has a new government, a coalition of Berlusconi's forces and center-left rivals who forged an unusual alliance to break a two-month stalemate following inconclusive elections. Enrico Letta, a center-left leader, will be premier in the government, which marks the latest political comeback by Silvio Berlusconi. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

Italy forms new government after 2-month stalemate

Frances D'emilio · April 27, 2013 4:00 am

Italian lawmakers gather to vote on a new president whose first job will be to seek the formation of a new government after inconclusive elections, in Rome Thursday, April 18, 2013. Political parties sparred over suitable candidates for the post being vacated by Giorgio Napolitano ahead of the Thursday vote, reflecting divisions that they have been unable to overcome in the more than 50 days since the Feb. 24-25 elections. Napolitano's term expires next month. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Napolitano re-elected Italy’s president

Frances D'emilio · April 20, 2013 4:00 am

Italian caretaker Premier Mario Monti cast his vote for a new president whose first job will be to seek the formation of a new government after inconclusive elections, in Rome Thursday, April 18, 2013. Political parties sparred over suitable candidates for the post being vacated by Giorgio Napolitano ahead of the Thursday vote, reflecting divisions that they have been unable to overcome in the more than 50 days since the Feb. 24-25 elections. Napolitano's term expires next month. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Italian lawmakers fail to elect new president

Frances D'emilio · April 18, 2013 4:00 am