Trump to host Italian President Mattarella at the White House on Thursday

[October 12, 2019]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will host Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the White House on Oct. 16, the White House said on Friday.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella attends the 15th informal meeting of the Arraiolos Group Heads of State in Athens, Greece October 11, 2019. Presidential Palace/Paolo Giandotti/Handout via REUTERS

The two leaders will "celebrate the strong and enduring historical ties between the United States and Italy, which underpin our bilateral relationship," the White House said.

The Italian president plays a mainly ceremonial role and usually stays out of day-to-day politics.

(Reporting by Eric Beech; Writing by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Sandra Maler)

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