AFP He was in town to attend the Seeds & Chips - The Global Food Innovation Summit

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The ex-president met with former Italian leader Matteo Renzi and the pair made a celebratory phone call to Emmanuel Macron following the French election. Dressed casually in jeans and a leather jacket, the former Barack Obama was given a warm welcome as he touched down in Linate Military Airport. Officers from the Italian Air Force were on hand on greet him and a 14-car procession - including police on bikes, cars and in a helicopter - escorted the 55-year-old to Milan. Mr Obama, who was succeeded by Donald Trump in January, was met the Italy’s former prime minister Renzi and Mayor Beppe Sala.

Barack Obama in pictures Thu, November 24, 2016 Barack Obama, President of the United States in pictures Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 130 U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama serve Thanksgiving dinner to residents of AFRH in Washington

As Mr Obama settles back into civilian life after eight years in the top job, he was in Italy to attend the Seeds & Chips - The Global Food Innovation Summit. The event, which opened on Tuesday, is aimed at food innovation across the planet. But before he attended the summit, as the guest of honour, the former president managed to cram in some sightseeing.

AFP The ex-president met with former Italian leader Matteo Renzi

He visited the Il Duomo, accompanied by archbishop Gianantonio Borgonovo, and the Ambrosian Art Gallery. After Mr Obama met Mr Renzi - who described him as a “friend” - for a private two-hour meeting. He later tweeted: “Happy to see again in Milan a friend and a great leader, @BarackObama.”

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Obama seemed to be very pleased Marco Gualtieri

The pair are said to have discussed the “broad” European horizon and international affairs. And they allegedly called new French leader Emmanuel Macron to congratulate him on his win. Marco Gualtieri, founder and organiser of Seeds & Chips private dinner, hosted at Palazzo Clerici, said: “Obama and Renzi have agreed that young people are going to fight populisms that are worrying the world today.

AFP The former Mr Obama was given a warm welcome as he touched down in Linate Military Airport

"Obama talked about his youth project, and I am particularly happy and honoured because after thanking Renzi and Monti, he told me: ‘Tomorrow we will do a great thing, but after that I want to talk to you about things we can do after this conference’." "To focus on the new generations and the young people. He is convinced that change will come from them. “According to Obama, many things happen because we don’t talk properly to young people and we need to create leaders and messages that reach the new generations.

AFP Mr Obama endorsed Mr Macron ahead of Sunday’s crucial vote