Rome ? Speaking slowly and softly to an attentive President Bush, Pope John Paul II on Friday reaffirmed his opposition to the war in Iraq and decried “deplorable events” related to it, an apparent reference to the abuse of Iraqi detainees by U.S. forces.

In their third meeting since Bush has been president, the pope called for a quick return of sovereignty in Iraq with an active role to be played by the international community, particularly the United Nations.

“The recent appointment of a head of state in Iraq and the formation of an interim Iraqi government are an encouraging step towards the attainment of this goal,” the pontiff said.

The pope also expressed the hope for new negotiations that would lead to a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

He spoke haltingly, straining to get out the words, and his hands trembled as a result of Parkinson’s disease. His words were barely audible, and he skipped over one paragraph in his prepared text.

Yet they reflected the attitude of much of Europe about the war and its consequences. Bush is expected to encounter similar attitudes from some other leaders over the next week. He will meet with French President Jacques Chirac today and play host to leaders from the Group of Eight nations at Sea Island, Ga., next week.

Bush announced that the president of Iraq’s interim government, Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawar, will attend the G-8 meeting. The White House said al-Yawar would meet with the leaders “to discuss how the political, social and economic rebirth of Iraq can contribute to the cause of reform throughout the region.”

Thousands of demonstrators marched in Rome in protest of Bush’s Iraq policies, highly unpopular in Italy, and they were a few reported clashes with police. Some 10,000 police were deployed to deal with any possible violence.

Although Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had said Thursday that he was worried about “absurd violence” overtaking the capital, police reported only a few isolated incidents of violence, and the government labeled an anti-war march organized by the Communist Party and anti-globalization and pacifist groups “a flop.”

The march through the city’s central Piazza Venezia ended peacefully, hindered only by minor skirmishes. Demonstrators carried banners and posters slamming Bush and the Iraq war while others carried rainbow-striped peace flags.

Italy’s principal left-wing parties did not take part in the march out of respect for members of the U.S. armed forces who gave their lives on D-Day.

U.S. President George W. Bush holds Pope John Paul II's hand during their meeting at the Clementine Hall at the Vatican. Bush was in Italy for 36 hours to mark the 60th anniversary of Rome's liberation and meet the pope and Italian leaders. At left in the background is first lady Laura Bush.