US ambassador to Italy celebrates 250 years of American Independence at Rome reception

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Ambassador Fertitta hosts Italian ministers at Villa Taverna as Washington celebrates 250-year milestone. The United States ambassador to Italy, Tilman Fertitta, hosted a reception at his Rome residence on Thursday evening to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, drawing much of the Italian government despite the notable absence of prime minister Giorgia Meloni. In his address to the more than 2,000 guests gathered at Villa Taverna, Fertitta said Italy was a fitting place to celebrate the milestone, pointing to the legacies of Amerigo Vespucci and the Roman Republic in shaping America's founding, coinciding as it does with Italy's 80th anniversary as a republic. He reflected on his first year as ambassador, describing it as "an incredible privilege" that had shown him the many strands of the US-Italy partnership: economic, military, cultural and political. Strong links Fertitta, who is of Italian heritage, spoke of the deep family ties between the two nations, noting that more than 17 million Americans claim Italian ancestry. He said he would mark the Fourth of July in Sicily, from where his great-grandparents emigrated to the US more than 130 years ago, adding that these bonds remain strong today, with more than 45,000 American students and eight million visitors travelling to Italy each year. Space The ambassador also highlighted cooperation in space, referencing NASA's recent announcement that Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano will pilot next year's Artemis III mission, continuing more than 60 years of US-Italian collaboration. He recalled a personal memory from Villa Taverna, where in 2011 he was part of the American delegation that welcomed the crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and honoured Italian astronauts Roberto Vittori and Paolo Nespoli. American soldiers Turning to wartime sacrifice, Fertitta spoke of the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, where more than 11,000 Americans who died fighting to liberate Italy are buried, saying Italians had repeatedly told him during his travels that this sacrifice made today's freedom possible. He described Italy as "a trusted partner and friend" whose ties with Washington "grow stronger every day", adding that alliances such as this one are "the cornerstone of American strength and leadership". Meloni's absence The celebration marked a reconciliation between Italy and the US after the tensions of recent weeks between US president Donald Trump and Meloni. Although the Italian premier did not attend - she had been in Padua to address a trade union congress - she was represented by her sister Arianna Meloni and under-secretary Alfredo Mantovano, in a gesture widely read as a sign of continued warmth between Rome and Washington. At the US embassy in Rome this evening for the celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, Ambassador Fertitta underlined the “great” relations between the US and Italy, stressing that bilateral cooperation remains solid and that “it’s business as usual”. pic.twitter.com/iV3OTgAoNJ — Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) July 2, 2026 Fertitta told reporters at Villa Taverna that he considered Italy-US relations as "great", saying: "I deal with everybody every day, from the prime minister on down, and we collaborate on military issues, political issues and business, trade between both countries and I would say that [relations] are as good as I've ever seen since I've been here." Feritta stated that Trump and Meloni have a long-standing relationship and noted that "leaders have little disagreements at times" before stressing: "It's business as usual, as far as I'm concerned." Italy's deputy prime ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini both attended the reception, along with defence minister Guido Crosetto who Fertitta hailed as "a real leader in Europe" on defence investment. There was a string of other ministers at Villa Taverna, including Francesco Lollobrigida (agriculture), Adolfo Urso (enterprise), Giancarlo Giorgetti (finance), Orazio Schillaci (health), Gilberto Pichetto Fratin (environment), Giuseppe Valditara (education) and Carlo Nordio (justice). Italy-US ties Speaking to reporters, senate speaker Ignazio La Russa said friendship between the Italian and American peoples was "not up for discussion". Tajani insisted that "no controversy can spoil the friendship between Italy and the US", describing Washington as a strategic partner and ally, while Salvini said: "No one can ever question the friendship and good relations between Italy and the US." Opposition figures were present in smaller numbers, with Matteo Renzi of Italia Viva the only opposition party leader to attend, arguing that while Meloni's rapport with Trump had faltered, the friendship between the two countries endures beyond any single presidency. MP Laura Ravetto of the newly founded far-right Futuro Nazionale was in attendence however the party leader Roberto Vannacci was not there. "The General was very much invited" - Ravetto told reporters - "he's busy in Brussels." As per tradition, guests enjoyed beer, hot dogs and hamburgers as well as cakes emblazoned with the words "Freedom 250." The party featured rock music, provided by the US Navy Band, and concluded with a fireworks display. Image: Ambassador Fertitta at Villa Taverna, 2 July 2026. Photo Wanted in Rome.