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
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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
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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
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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.

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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

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CONFIDENTIAL PTQ0715

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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
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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.

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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
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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.

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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.

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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
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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.

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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
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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.

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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

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CONFIDENTIAL PTQ0721

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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

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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

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2001VATICA02295 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL