Vatican City  - Pope Benedict XVI will host US President George W Bush in a medieval tower later this week in what the Vatican's newspaper said Monday marks an "unusual protocol" move.

The pontiff, who is scheduled to hold talks with Bush on Friday, normally receives high-calibre guests in his study located in the Apostolic Palace, overlooking St Peter's Square.

But wishing to "repay the cordiality of the welcoming he received" by Bush at the White House during the papal visit to the United States" in April, Benedict plans to receive the US president at the Tower of St John located in the gardens of Vatican City, L'Osservatore Romano said.

Bush will be accompanied by his wife Laura and by the US ambassador to the Holy See, Mary Ann Glendon, the Vatican newspaper said.

Following the talks, Benedict and Bush will stroll through the gardens to see a statue of the Madonna, Mary the mother of Jesus, where they will also listen to a brief performance by singers of the Sistine Chapel's Choir, it said.

Bush is scheduled to arrive in Rome on Wednesday evening and to hold meetings with Italian leaders the next day as part of a trip to Slovenia, Germany Italy and France. (dpa)