ROME — The “ancestral homeland” in Italy’s Abruzzo region that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was looking forward to visiting on Thursday barely had enough notice to organize a welcoming ceremony.

“It all happened so fast,” said Guido Angelilli, the mayor of Pacentro, adding, “They asked us to keep a low profile.”

At least the mayor could acknowledge the visit was happening at all, a small consolation in these times of high-flying intrigue.

As Washington seethes amid accusations of quid pro quos, conspiracy theories and abuses of power, Italy, with its brilliant early autumn light and amenable political leaders, has become a recent destination for two central officials in the Trump administration who are in the thick of the impeachment inquiry.