Treated Like Royalty on Vacation, de Blasio Maintained Populist Image

By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

The mayor took pains in Italy to preserve the fine line between Park Slope Dad and V.I.P.

 Still, it was sometimes odd to observe Mr. de Blasio inside the bubble of high power. An obscure politician at this time last year, the mayor arrived at Sant’Agata de’ Goti with a huge security contingent; the town had shipped in officers from at least four Italian forces. Paparazzi swarmed; after the ceremony, the mayor was mobbed by television crews, his aides struggling to hold back the scrum.

 Like it or not, Mr. de Blasio is quickly becoming a member of the global elite. His challenge now is to find a comfortable way to play the part.