President John F. Kennedy in Rome and Naples, July 1-2, 1963

President Kennedy arrives at Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy where he is welcomed by President Antonio Segni and Premier Giovanni Leone. The leaders drive to the Quirinal Palace where they begin discussions on NATO, economic matters, and Western policy toward the Soviet Union. The President then attends a reception for Italian political leaders. President Kennedy makes brief remarks at the Campidoglio in Rome. President Kennedy addresses the American Embassy staff at the Ambassador's residence in Rome. President Kennedy is honored at a state dinner hosted by President Antonio Segni at the Quirinal Palace. In his brief remarks the President says that the U.S. "will regard any threat to your peace and freedom as a threat to our own -- and will not hesitate to respond accordingly."President Kennedy is the third U.S. President to receive a Papal audience. The others are Woodrow Wilson in 1919 and Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1959. President Kennedy and President Antonio Segni issue a joint statement following their discussions. President Kennedy visits NATO headquarters for Southern Europe in Naples. In his brief remarks the President says "I came to Europe to reassert as clearly and as persuasively as I could that the American commitment to the freedom of Europe is reliable" President Kennedy drives with President Segni to Capodichino Airport where he departs to return to the United States.