Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi finally became an honorary citizen of Rome on 27 October, 19 years after the honour was awarded to her by former Rome mayor Francesco Rutelli in 1994.

The Nobel peace laureate had been unable to collect her award in person until now as she spent most of the past two decades under house arrest in Myanmar.

She received her certificate of citizenship at the city hall from Rome mayor Ignazio Marino, who was flanked by two of his predecessors, Francesco Rutelli and Walter Veltroni, as well as retired Italian football star Roberto Baggio.

On 28 October Suu Kyi will meet Italian prime minister Enrico Letta, Italian president Giorgio Napolitano, and Pope Francis before travelling to Bologna the next day to accept another citizenship.

Photo ANSA