Papal visit

As part of the protests that have erupted in many other European countries, hundreds of farmers and their tractors have gathered on the outskirts of Rome. They demand fair prices for their products, the continuation of the reduction of taxes on agricultural diesel, stricter controls on imports, a reduction in bureaucracy, as well as other concessions.

Media reports say a cow was among thousands of the faithful and tourists in St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday to attend the traditional Angelus prayer of Pope Francis.

The cow, 'Ercolina', which has become one of the symbols of the protest in Italy, was led along Via della Concilliazlone and then arrived in the piazza to be milked, to the amazement of those waiting for the Pope to appear at the window of his study.

"I hand wrote a letter to Pope Francis asking if we could come to the Angelus to have the cow blessed," breeder Pietro Tavazzani said. The Pope agreed.