Due to recent threats made against the Pope and the Vatican by terrorists aligned with IS, yesterday’s opening of the Jubilee Year of Mercy was accompanied by the strictest security measures seen in modern times.
Reuters is reporting that the tens of thousands of Catholics who lined up for blocks to catch a glimpse of the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s yesterday were subject to sometimes two body and bag searches as they made their way toward St. Peter’s Square. Each of the estimated 70,000 people who attended the Mass yesterday were also made to pass through metal detectors.
No one was exempt from the security measures which were imposed upon pilgrims, reporters, diplomats, and even clergy.
“The risk of terrorism will never be zero, we cannot provide absolute security, but we are working to attain the level of security that people rightly ask for,” said Rome police chief Franco Gabrielli.
Precautions also included closing the airspace over most of Rome and banning the transport of petrol, gas, weapons, explosives and fireworks. All trash bins were sealed or removed from the area around the Vatican and vehicles were not permitted in and around the site.
The total security force numbered nearly 3,000 and included soldiers who augmented the regular police force.
Some were unnerved by the show of force, such as an Italian tourist named Daniela Santi who said the enhanced security made her feel afraid.
“Those who come here as pilgrims meet the soldiers carrying machine guns, it’s scary, you feel threatened,” Santi told Reuters.
Others felt it was warranted.
“This security was necessary,” said Corrado de Gioia from Treviso in northern Italy. “It worked very well and it was worth it because we feel safe.”
IS leaders have made no secret of the fact that Pope Francis and the Vatican are on their “hit list”.
In fact, just last week, Italian and Kosovan authorities managed to interrupt the plans of an Islamic State (IS) terror cell before its members could carry out a brutal attack on Pope Francis.
Meanwhile, the Pope called upon the faithful to have courage. “Let us set aside all fear and dread, for these do not befit men and women who are loved,” he said. “Instead, let us experience the joy of encountering that grace which transforms all things.”
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