According to the U.K. Express:

A diplomatic row between France and Italy erupted last week when Rome forced Macron's hand to accept a humanitarian rescue ship, the Ocean Viking with 234 migrants aboard, after Italy had refused it a port for weeks.

The presidents of Italy and France sought to tamp down tensions over migration Monday by asserting the need for "full cooperation" on a host of issues and the importance of strong bilateral relations after days of diplomatic barbs over the fate of migrants crossing the Mediterranean. In response to Italy's demand France accepted migrants from the Ocean Viking rescue ship, President Emmanuel Macron retaliated by suspending its participation in an EU solidarity pact to accept 3,000 relocated migrants this year from Italy and sent officers to reinforce its southern border crossings and prevent migrants from entering.

The nicey-nice talk is just that -- nicey-nice talk, and Italy's president is largely a ceremonial one. What happened was a full-fledged row.