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Reference ID	Created	Released	Classification	Origin
01VATICAN2295	2001-04-26 09:27	2011-08-30 01:44	CONFIDENTIAL	Embassy Vatican

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 VATICAN 002295 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (SCOTT KILNER); EUR/EX (LYNN DENT); 
S/CPR (SOTIROPOULOS) 
NSC 
 
FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 61/01 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/25 
TAGS: PGOV PINR PINR PINR PINR VT KPRP VTPGOV KPRP VTPGOV KPRP VTPGOV KPRP
SUBJECT: USG READINESS FOR PAPAL TURNOVER AND HIGH 
LEVEL VISIT 
 
REF: 96 ROME 3311 
 
¶1. (U) CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. JOSEPH 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        VATICA  02295  01 OF 04  270100Z 
MERANTE.  REASONS: 1.5 (B) AND (D). 
 
¶2. (C) SUMMARY: THERE IS NO NEW INFORMATION SUGGESTING 
AN IMMINENT PAPAL DEMISE, BUT THE POPE'S HEALTH 
APPEARS TO CONTINUE ITS DECLINE. POST OFFERS SOME 
RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USG'S ACTIONS SURROUNDING THE 
PAPAL FUNERAL AND ELECTION OF A NEW POPE.  THE USG 
WOULD HAVE NINE DAYS FROM THE DEATH OF THE POPE TO 
FORM AND SEND A PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION TO THE FUNERAL 
MASS IN THE VATICAN AND POSSIBLY THE POPE'S NATIVE 
POLAND. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶3.  (C) ALTHOUGH POST HAS NO NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE 
POPE'S HEALTH THAT IMPELS THE TIMING OF THIS CABLE, 
THE POPE'S STATE OF HEALTH IS WELL-KNOWN AND THE 
PROSPECT OF A PAPAL FUNERAL AND A SUBSEQUENT ELECTION 
ARE ON THE NEARER RATHER THAN THE FARTHER HORIZON. 
POST WISHES THE DEPARTMENT NOT TO BE SURPRISED BY 
PROTOCOL URGENCIES ON SHORT NOTICE.  AFTER THE DEATH 
OF A POPE, THERE IS A PERIOD OF MOURNING OF NINE DAYS 
BEFORE THE FUNERAL MASS, WHICH WOULD BE ATTENDED BY 
HEADS OF STATE OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.  THE PROCESS 
FOR ELECTING THE NEW POPE WILL BEGIN AFTER BURIAL. 
 
--------------------------- 
BACKGROUND: THE INTERREGNUM 
--------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C) WHEN THE POPE DIES, THE PREFECT OF THE PAPAL 
HOUSEHOLD (CURRENTLY AMERICAN BISHOP JAMES HARVEY) 
INFORMS THE CARDINAL CHAMBERLAIN (CURRENTLY SPANISH 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        VATICA  02295  01 OF 04  270100Z 
CARDINAL EDUARDO MARTINEZ SOMALO), WHO MUST VERIFY THE 
DEATH, ARRANGE FOR A DEATH CERTIFICATE AND INFORM THE 
CARDINAL-VICAR OF ROME (CURRENTLY ITALIAN CARDINAL 
CAMILLO RUINI).  THE CARDINAL-VICAR MAKES THE DEATH 
PUBLIC; VATICAN RADIO THEN BROADCASTS THE NEWS.  THE 
VATICAN PRESS OFFICE WOULD PROBABLY HOLD A PRESS 
CONFERENCE THAT DAY.  THE CARDINAL-CHAMBERLAIN THEN 
LOCKS AND SEALS THE POPE'S PRIVATE APARTMENTS.  THE 
CARDINAL CHAMBERLAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE COLLEGE OF 
CARDINALS ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY "AD INTERIM" FOR 
CHURCH GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE FUNERAL AND BURIAL OF 
THE POPE AND THE ELECTION OF HIS SUCCESSOR. THREE 
CARDINAL ASSISTANTS, SELECTED BY LOT FROM AMONG 
CARDINALS ALREADY IN ROME, HELP THE CHAMBERLAIN.  THE 
HEADS OF VATICAN GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, WITH SOME 
EXCEPTIONS SUCH AS THE CHAMBERLAIN HIMSELF ARE 
SUSPENDED FROM EXERCISING THEIR AUTHORITY.  THE PAPAL 
FUNERAL RITES CONTINUE FOR NINE CONSECUTIVE DAYS. 
 
--------------------------------- 
TWO FUNERALS? AND AN INAUGURATION 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (C) POST RECOMMENDS THAT THE PRESIDENT ATTEND THE 
PONTIFF'S FUNERAL SERVICES IN THE VATICAN.  IT IS VERY 
POSSIBLE THAT THE POPE'S WILL DIRECTS THAT HE BE 
BURIED IN HIS NATIVE POLAND, A REQUEST THAT THE 
VATICAN WOULD HONOR, WE BELIEVE.  THE WHITE HOUSE 
SHOULD THUS CONSIDER THAT THERE MAY BE A NEED FOR 
ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION FOR BURIAL SERVICES IN 
POLAND.  IN ADDITION, WE RECOMMEND A HIGH-LEVEL 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        VATICA  02295  01 OF 04  270100Z 
PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION OF EIGHT OR NINE TO THE 
INAUGURATION OF THE NEW POPE, WHICH HISTORICALLY HAS 
OCCURRED WITHIN THE WEEK FOLLOWING THE BURIAL. 
 
----------------------- 
WHO ATTENDS THE FUNERAL 
----------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C)  WITH A POPE AS ACTIVE IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS AND 
WHO HAS VISITED MORE NATIONS THAN ANY OTHER PONTIFF, 
THE PAPAL FUNERAL WOULD PROBABLY BE ATTENDED BY MANY 
HEADS OF STATE.  JOHN PAUL II HAS MET MANY CURRENT 
WORLD LEADERS PERSONALLY, AND WE EXPECT THAT MANY OF 
THEM WILL COME TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS. THE NINE-DAY 
NOTICE OF A PAPAL FUNERAL WILL PUT HOTEL SPACE AT A 
PREMIUM.  HOTELS WILL HAVE TO TURN RESERVED GUESTS 
AWAY.  HOTELS ARE REPORTED TO HAVE ALREADY AGREED WITH 
SOME MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS TO TURN OUT GUESTS TO ALLOW 
THE PRESS TO TAKE ROOMS.  WE RECOMMEND THAT THE 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ0715 
 
PAGE 01        VATICA  02295  02 OF 04  270101Z 
ACTION EUR-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   ACQ-00   CA-02    CIAE-00  CPR-02   DODE-00  SRPP-00 
      DS-00    EB-00    VC-00    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00 
      L-00     M-00     AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OCS-03   OIC-02 
      OMB-01   PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00 
      IRM-00   SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  T-00     USIE-00 
      PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00     /014W 
                  ------------------E47D89  270101Z /15 
R 260927Z APR 01 
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0000 
INFO AMEMBASSY ROME 
AMEMBASSY WARSAW 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 VATICAN 002295 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (SCOTT KILNER); EUR/EX (LYNN DENT); 
S/CPR (SOTIROPOULOS) 
NSC 
 
FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 61/01 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/25 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        VATICA  02295  02 OF 04  270101Z 
TAGS: PGOV PINR PINR PINR PINR VT KPRP VTPGOV KPRP VTPGOV KPRP VTPGOV KPRP
SUBJECT: USG READINESS FOR PAPAL TURNOVER AND HIGH 
LEVEL VISIT 
 
PRESIDENT STAY WITH THE AMBASSADOR TO THE HOLY SEE IN 
THE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE. 
 
-------------------------- 
THE CONCLAVE: PREPARATIONS 
-------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (C) CARDINALS WILL ARRIVE IN ROME FROM THE WORLD 
OVER; THEY WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH HOTEL SPACE, AS 
THEY WILL STAY IN THE DOMUS SANTA MARTA FACILITY, 
INSIDE THE VATICAN AND REBUILT RECENTLY FOR THEIR USE. 
PREVIOUS CONCLAVES INVOLVED THE CARDINALS STAYING IN 
CRAMPED ROOMS NEAR THE SISTINE CHAPEL.  EVEN WHILE THE 
FUNERAL RITES ARE GOING ON, THE CARDINALS MEET IN 
"GENERAL CONGREGATIONS" ORGANIZED BY THE CHAMBERLAIN. 
AT THIS TIME THE CARDINALS WOULD LIKELY BEGIN 
INFORMALLY TO DISCUSS CANDIDATES FOR THE PAPACY. 
 
-------------------- 
THE CONCLAVE: VOTING 
-------------------- 
 
¶8.  (C) THOSE CARDINALS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE MUST 
BEGIN TO DO SO NO EARLIER THAN FIFTEEN AND NO LATER 
THAN TWENTY DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE POPE.  NEWS 
ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ALREADY OPTIONED CHOICE LOCATIONS 
TO STAKE OUT THE VOTING. THE CONCLAVE PROPER BEGINS 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        VATICA  02295  02 OF 04  270101Z 
WITH A MORNING MASS IN ST PETER'S BASILICA, AFTER 
WHICH THE CARDINALS GO TO THE SISTINE CHAPEL, WHERE 
THEY TAKE AN OATH TO FOLLOW THE ELECTION RULES 
(CHANGED BY POPE JOHN PAUL II).  THEN THEY CAST THE 
FIRST VOTE. 
 
--------------------- 
HOW LONG IT WILL LAST 
---------------------- 
 
¶9.  (C) THERE IS NO LIMIT ON HOW LONG THE VOTING MAY 
GO ON, BUT IN PRACTICE, IT LIKELY WILL BE A MATTER OF 
DAYS.  NONE OF THE TEN CONCLAVES SINCE 1831 LASTED 
MORE THAN FOUR DAYS. WHEN A CANDIDATE RECEIVES THE 
REQUISITE MAJORITY (WHICH VARIES ACCORDING TO HOW MANY 
TIMES VOTES HAVE BEEN CAST), THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE 
OF CARDINALS FORMALLY ASKS THE WINNER IF HE ACCEPTS 
ELECTION AND BY WHAT NAME HE WISHES TO BE CALLED.  THE 
CONCLAVE IS THEN OFFICIALLY OVER. 
 
------------ 
SMOKE RISING 
------------ 
 
¶10.  (C) ORDINARILY, THE FIRST INDICATION TO THE 
OUTSIDE WORLD THAT A NEW POPE HAS BEEN ELECTED COMES 
WHEN A PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE RISES FROM THE SISTINE 
CHAPEL AS THE LAST BALLOTS ARE BURNT.  (FOR BALLOTS 
THAT DO NOT RESULT IN THE NEEDED MAJORITY, A CHEMICAL 
MIXED WITH THE BALLOTS GIVES THEM A DARK APPEARANCE 
WHEN THEY ARE BURNT.)  NEWS ORGANIZATIONS WITH PRIME 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        VATICA  02295  02 OF 04  270101Z 
LOCATIONS WILL BE VIDEOTAPING SMOKE RISING FROM THE 
SISTINE CHAPEL.  THESE ORGANIZATIONS WITH THEIR ROUND- 
THE-CLOCK STAKEOUTS WILL FURTHER EXACERBATE THE HOTEL 
ROOM SHORTAGE WE PREDICT FOR ROME.  THE MEDIA WILL 
WAIT TO CAPTURE ON TAPE THE SENIOR CARDINAL DEACON 
PROCLAIMING THE ELECTION ON THE MAIN BALCONY FROM ST 
PETERS, OVERLOOKING THE SQUARE WHEN THE NEW POPE 
APPEARS TO IMPART HIS BLESSING. 
 
------------- 
NO CORONATION 
-------------- 
 
¶11.  (C) POPE JOHN PAUL I (WHOSE REIGN LASTED 33 DAYS) 
DISCONTINUED THE ELABORATE CORONATION CEREMONY 
PRESCRIBED BY HIS PREDECESSORS.  THE NEXT POPE'S 
ELECTION, LIKE THOSE OF JOHN PAUL I AND JOHN PAUL II 
IN 1978, SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND CELEBRATED BY TWO 
EVENTS.  FIRST, THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE A PUBLIC 
"SOLEMN CEREMONY OF INAUGURATION" OF THE NEW PAPACY. 
SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE NEW POPE WOULD TAKE FORMAL 
POSSESSION OF HIS PATRIARCHAL BASILICA, WHICH IS ST 
JOHN LATERAN, THE "CATHEDRAL" OF ROME, IN A CEREMONY 
INVOLVING A PONTIFICAL MASS THERE.  THE VATICAN WOULD 
NOT EXPECT A HEAD OF STATE TO ATTEND THESE MASSES IF 
S/HE ATTENDED THE FUNERAL, BUT A DELEGATION FROM THE 
HEAD OF STATE WOULD BE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.  EMBASSY 
VATICAN SUGGESTS A TEN-PERSON DELEGATION. 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ0718 
 
PAGE 01        VATICA  02295  03 OF 04  270102Z 
ACTION EUR-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   ACQ-00   CA-02    CIAE-00  CPR-02   DODE-00  SRPP-00 
      DS-00    EB-00    VC-00    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00 
      L-00     M-00     AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OCS-03   OIC-02 
      OMB-01   PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00 
      IRM-00   SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  T-00     USIE-00 
      PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00     /014W 
                  ------------------E47D96  270102Z /15 
R 260927Z APR 01 
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0000 
INFO AMEMBASSY ROME 
AMEMBASSY WARSAW 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 VATICAN 002295 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (SCOTT KILNER); EUR/EX (LYNN DENT); 
S/CPR (SOTIROPOULOS) 
NSC 
 
FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 61/01 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/25 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        VATICA  02295  03 OF 04  270102Z 
TAGS: PGOV PINR PINR PINR PINR VT KPRP VTPGOV KPRP VTPGOV KPRP VTPGOV KPRP
SUBJECT: USG READINESS FOR PAPAL TURNOVER AND HIGH 
LEVEL VISIT 
 
------------------------------------- 
HOUSING FOR A PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶12.  (C) WE RECOMMEND THAT THE WHITE HOUSE CONSIDER 
THE RESIDENCE OF THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE HOLY SEE 
FOR THE PRESIDENT'S USE DURING HIS STAY.  THE 
AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE HAS TWO EXTRA BEDROOMS, WITH 
ONE OTHER ROOM USABLE AS A SLEEPING ROOM.  THE 
RESIDENCE HAS A 24-HOUR GUARD AND GATED ENTRY.  THE 
RESIDENCE HAS A TOTAL OF 1400 SQUARE METERS (15,246 
SQUARE FEET). 
 
¶13.  (C) IF THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT STAY AT THE 
RESIDENCE, WE SUGGEST HOTELS WHICH ARE CLOSE TO THE 
VATICAN, DUE TO PROJECTED EXTREME TRAFFIC CONGESTION: 
- CAVALIERE HILTON - 4.6 KLOMETERS FROM THE VATICAN - 
312 ROOMS TOTAL.  THERE ARE 17 SUITES IN ALL, TWO OF 
WHICH ARE "PRESIDENTIAL" AND ONE "ROYAL." 
- HOLIDAY INN ST PETER'S - 4.5 KM FROM THE VATICAN)- 
300 ROOMS, AND 25 EXECUTIVE ROOMS. 
- HOTEL MINERVA - (2.5 M FROM THE VATICAN)- WITH 118 
ROOMS AND 16 SUITES. 
- HOTEL AMBASCIATORI - 4 KM FROM THE VATICAN -WITH 
150 ROOMS AND 8 SUITES. 
- EXCELSIOR HOTEL- 4 KM FROM THE VATICAN - WITH 318 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        VATICA  02295  03 OF 04  270102Z 
ROOMS AND 15 SUITES. 
- ST. REGIS GRAND HOTEL - 4 KM FROM THE VATICAN - WITH 
161 ROOMS AND 6 SUITES. 
 
------------------------------------- 
GETTING A HOTEL ROOM WILL NOT BE EASY 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶14.  (SBU) FOLLOWING MEDIA REPORTS OVER THE PAST 
SEVERAL YEARS AND CULMINATING IN RECENT ARTICLES, 
MAJOR NEWS ORGANIZATIONS ARE PLANNING FOR PERSON- 
INTENSIVE OPERATIONS, WITH ROUND-THE-CLOCK STAKEOUTS 
OF THE VATICAN.  THEY WILL NEED HUNDREDS OF HOTEL 
ROOMS.  IT WILL BE CRITICAL FOR THE U.S. DELEGATION TO 
MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEARNING OF 
THE POPE'S DEATH.  IF THE SECRETARY OF STATE COMES FOR 
ONE OF THE MASSES, HOTEL SPACE WILL BE EVEN MORE IN 
DEMAND. 
 
¶15.  (SBU) IN ADDITION TO THE MEDIA HORDES THAT WILL 
DESCEND ON ROME, MOST NATIONS WILL SEND TOP LEVEL 
DELEGATIONS WITH MANY HEADS OF STATE.  DUE TO A 
COMBINATION OF FACTORS, THIS POPE'S FUNERAL MAY 
ATTRACT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF OFFICIAL VISITORS FOR 
ANY PAPAL FUNERAL IN HISTORY.  OVER TWENTY YEARS OF 
HIGH-PROFILE INVOLVEMENT IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS, THE MOST 
FOREIGN TRAVEL OF ANY POPE IN HISTORY, THE GREAT 
NUMBER OF PERSONAL MEETINGS BETWEEN THIS POPE AND 
EXISTING HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT - ALL THESE 
ARGUE FOR THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF GOVERNMENTAL 
REPRESENTATION, ACCOMPANIED BY THE INEVITABLE 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 04        VATICA  02295  03 OF 04  270102Z 
ENTOURAGES. 
 
¶16.  (C) FOR EXAMPLE, AT THE FUNERAL MASS FOR JOHN 
PAUL I, WHOSE 33 DAYS AS POPE HARDLY GAVE HIM THE TIME 
TO BUILD UP THE RESPECT AND GOODWILL ENJOYED BY HIS 
SUCCESSOR, APPROXIMATELY 47 COUNTRIES SENT 
DELEGATIONS. (MANY OTHER NATIONS SENT THEIR RESIDENT 
AMBASSADORS) 117 MISSIONS (NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL) 
WERE REPRESENTED.  121 MISSIONS SENT REPRESENTATIVES 
FOR THE MASS CELEBRATING THE BEGINNING OF JOHN PAUL 
II'S MINISTRY AS PONTIFF A FEW WEEKS LATER.  109 
MISSIONS SENT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE MASS FOR THE 
BEGINNING OF JOHN PAUL I'S PAPACY, WITH 110 MISSIONS 
REPRESENTED AT THE FUNERAL MASS FOR PAUL VI.  SINCE 
THE 1979 ROUND OF FUNERAL AND ELECTION  MASSES, THE 
VATICAN HAS ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH EVEN 
MORE NATIONS.  THERE WILL CLEARLY BE A HEAVY INFLUX OF 
FOREIGN DIGNITARIES AND THEIR ENTOURAGES, NOT TO 
MENTION ITALIAN OFFICIALS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY 
AND HORDES FROM POLAND. 
 
-------- 
GRIDLOCK 
-------- 
 
¶17.  (C) EVEN ON A GOOD DAY ROME EXPERIENCES TRAFFIC 
CONGESTION.  MOTORCADE TIMES WILL BE LONGER THAN MIGHT 
OTHERWISE BE EXPECTED. THE VATICAN HAS A HELIPAD THAT 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
                           CONFIDENTIAL     PTQ0721 
 
PAGE 01        VATICA  02295  04 OF 04  270102Z 
ACTION EUR-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   ACQ-00   CA-02    CIAE-00  CPR-02   DODE-00  SRPP-00 
      DS-00    EB-00    VC-00    H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00 
      L-00     M-00     AC-01    NSAE-00  NSCE-00  OCS-03   OIC-02 
      OMB-01   PA-00    PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00     SP-00 
      IRM-00   SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  T-00     USIE-00 
      PMB-00   DSCC-00  DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00     /014W 
                  ------------------E47DA5  270102Z /15 
R 260927Z APR 01 
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0000 
INFO AMEMBASSY ROME 
AMEMBASSY WARSAW 
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 VATICAN 002295 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (SCOTT KILNER); EUR/EX (LYNN DENT); 
S/CPR (SOTIROPOULOS) 
NSC 
 
FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 61/01 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/25 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        VATICA  02295  04 OF 04  270102Z 
TAGS: PGOV PINR PINR PINR PINR VT KPRP VTPGOV KPRP VTPGOV KPRP VTPGOV KPRP
SUBJECT: USG READINESS FOR PAPAL TURNOVER AND HIGH 
LEVEL VISIT 
 
HAS BEEN USED BY PAST PRESIDENTS ON THEIR OFFICIAL 
VISITS. 
 
---------------------- 
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT 
---------------------- 
 
¶18.  (C) EMBASSY VATICAN AND EMBASSY ROME ARE WELL- 
STAFFED TO PROVIDE VISIT SUPPORT FOR A VISIT OF THIS 
TYPE, INCLUDING A SECRET SERVICE OFFICE.  EMBASSY 
VATICAN WOULD HAVE OVERALL VISIT CONTROL ON THE 
GROUND, BUT WOULD HAVE EXTENSIVE ADMINISTRATIVE 
SUPPORT FROM EMBASSY ROME. 
¶19.  (U) EMBASSIES ROME AND VATICAN WOULD MAKE 
VEHICLES AVAILABLE FOR THE VISIT.  THERE ARE A NUMBER 
OF LARGE RENTAL VEHICLE COMPANIES (HERTZ, EUROPCAR, 
ETC.) IN ROME THAT COULD IN THE AGGREGATE SUPPLY THE 
REST OF THE VEHICLES NEEDED. 
 
------------------ 
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS 
------------------ 
 
¶20.   (C) SPECIFIC PRESS REQUESTS SPECIFIC PRESS 
REQUESTS FOR THE VATICAN SHOULD GO THROUGH DR. JOAQUIN 
NAVARRO-VALLS AT (39)(06) 698-921 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        VATICA  02295  04 OF 04  270102Z 
¶21.  (U) POINTS OF CONTACT: 
 
AT EMBASSY VATICAN, CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. JOE 
MERANTE, OFFICE TELEPHONE (39)(06) 4674-3425, CELLULAR 
(39) 0335-632-4550. 
 
PROTOCOL OFFICE AT EMBASSY VATICAN: MS. MIRELLA 
GIACALONE, (39)(06) 4674-3446. 
 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPPORT: AT EMBASSY VATICAN, POLITICAL 
ASSISTANT MARKUS BAKERMANS, OFFICE TELEPHONE (39)(06) 
4674-3432. 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: AT EMBASSY VATICAN, ADMINOFF 
GREG D'ELIA; OFFICE TELEPHONE (39)(06) 4674-3433, 
CELLULAR (39) 335-680-3928. 
 
¶22.  (C) WE RECOMMEND THAT THE WHITE HOUSE TEAM 
VISITING ITALY SHORTLY FOR THE G-8 USE COMBINE THE 
OCCASION FOR A PRE-SURVEY OF LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES 
THAT WOULD ARISE AT THE VATICAN. THIS WOULD GREATLY 
FACILITATE THE VISIT WHEN IT HAPPENS. 
MERANTE 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
> 
 

 2001VATICA02295 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

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