Rome mayor defends U.S. trip plans after criticism

(ANSA) - Rome, September 22 - Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino on Tuesday told opposition critics of his plan to join Pope Francis on the United States leg of his Americas tour that his previous missions abroad have attracted 13 million euros in much-needed foreign investment to Rome.
    Former rightwing Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno accused Marino of "escaping from Rome once again".
    Marino responded by distributing leaflets and figures during a city council meeting, showing the amount of funding he had managed to attract so far from previous trips.
    "This is the money that the mayor has been able to bring home over the past two years through a few trips and meetings with sponsors: 13 millions euros," said Fabrizio Panecaldo, coordinator of the council's ruling majority. "I don't see why the mayor of Rome can't travel for work and hopefully bring back money that can be spent on the Jubilee," he said.
    Marino also said on his Facebook page that he would be meeting potential sponsors in New York who might be prepared to invest in planned restoration work in the Italian capital. He also said he was going to be welcomed as a guest and therefore the trip would not be at Rome's expense.