U.S. president doffs tie to tour iconic Colosseum

Franceschini describes 'wonder, admiration' in Obama's eyes

(ANSA) - Rome, March 27 - United States President Barack Obama doffed his tie but kept his dark raincoat as he toured Rome's iconic Colosseum Thursday at the end of a day of meetings with Pope Francis, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, and Premier Matteo Renzi.

Television footage showed a relaxed Obama asking questions of his tour guide, security agents hovering in the background.

The US president was also joined by Dario Franceschini, minister for cultural heritage who tweeted about the experience.

"I welcomed President Obama to the Colosseum. A pride for our country to see the wonder and admiration in his eyes," posted Franceschini on his Twitter feed.