Article: RETURNING AS COMMONERS, EX-ROYALS MEET POPE IN ROME.(News)

Byline: P-I news services

ITALY -- After a half-century of exile and longing, Italy's former royals returned to the land where their family once reigned, ending the shame of banishment imposed for the monarchy's support of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini during World War II.

Victor Emmanuel, the son of the last king, made an unannounced one-day visit yesterday to Italy as a commoner, along with his wife and son. The family went straight to the Vatican for a private meeting with Pope John Paul II, then jumped back on a private plane for Switzerland, their home in exile.

The 65-year-old former prince - exiled from Italy since age 9 - promised ...

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