Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to meet Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti in Rome on Friday, as part of the preparations for Ireland's EU Presidency in the first half of next year.
Mr Kenny is also attending meetings of the Centrist Democratic International, the international political group of which Fine Gael is a member.
A CDI group, including Mr Kenny, is due to meet the Pope at Castle Gondolfo on Saturday at noon.
