First spouses to visit pope, quake victims

L'AQUILA, Italy, July 8 (UPI) -- Spouses of world leaders attending the Group of Eight summit in Italy plan to visit survivors of the L'Aquila earthquake as part of the first spouses' agenda.

L'Aquila, the host city, was struck by a monster earthquake in April in which 296 people died and tens of thousands were left homeless.

The spouses' agenda also includes an audience Wednesday with Pope Benedict XVI although U.S. first lady Michelle Obama won't attend because she and President Barack Obama have a private meeting and France's first lady Carla Bruni won't arrive in Italy until Thursday, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Following the papal visit, the spouses scheduled a visit to Capitoline Hill for a celebration with Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno and his wife Isabella Rauti, ANSA said. A tea with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and first lady Clio Napolitano also was planned.

Bruni, who was born in Italy, said she would remain in L'Aquila instead of traveling to Rome on Friday with other spouses to attend a U.N. World Food Program event.

A statement from the French president's office said Bruni wanted to meet with people still living in tent cities and "give them moral support."