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Robert Mugabe arrives for Pope's inauguration

A spokesperson for the Vatican has said that all countries were welcome to attend the inaugural mass for Pope Francis as Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe slipped into Italy despite facing a European Union travel ban.

Mugabe is greeted at Rome airport

Mugabe, Africa's oldest leader, has been under the ban since 2002 because of allegations of vote rigging and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. However as Vatican City is not a member of the EU his visit does not breach the restrictions.

He was whisked straight from his plane in a black van, together with his wife, Grace, and bodyguards.

Mugabe and his wife Grace arrived at Rome airport

The Vatican says it did not issue invitations for the pope's inauguration, but that representatives of world governments are welcome to attend;

"The Holy See does not invite any country or foreign delegation or country or leader to come to this particular ceremony.

"We inform the world that this is taking place. Those who wish to come are welcomed, no-one is refused, they may come and take part in the ceremony," said Vatican Press Secretary Father Thomas Rosica in a media briefing.