Italy Steps Up Security Over Alleged ISIS Plot to Kill The Pope

Italy Steps Up Security Over Alleged ISIS Plot to Kill The Pope

Earlier this week, the Roman newspaper Il Tempo published a disturbing report that Francis is “in the crosshairs” of ISIS for “bearing false witness” against Islam. Citing anonymous sources within Italy’s intelligence community and pointing to notable heightened security in Rome, the paper went on to say that ISIS plans to heat things up by “raising the level of confrontation” with Europe, Italy and very specifically Pope Francis, the “greatest exponent of the Christian religions.” The Vatican downplayed the concerns, calling them unfounded despite growing concern in Italy that it is not just the Pope who is under threat. “There is nothing serious to this,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told Catholic News Agency. “There is no particular concern in the Vatican.”

The Italian government apparently begs to differ. Earlier this week, Italy’s deputy interior minister Filippo Bubbico said that Italy and the Vatican are equally at risk after authorities issued a terrorism alert, warning ISIS could launch terrorist attacks on what they referred to as “sensitive targets” in Rome and elsewhere, specifically pinpointing embassies to both Italy and the Holy See, Catholic churches, bus and train stations, sea ports, airports and travel agencies. Other security measures include restricting air space above Vatican City and Italy’s foreign ministry, in addition to stepped up police presence in public transportation hubs and busy tourist sites like the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps and St. Peter’s Square. “ISIS poses an international and European security threat and we in Italy feel particularly exposed,” Bubbico told Italian SKY news.

Vatican spokesman: ISIS threat to Pope Francis unfounded

In response to rumors that the Islamic State may be targeting Pope Francis, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. said there is no reason for concern.

“There is nothing serious to this. There is no particular concern in the Vatican. This news has no foundation,” the spokesman told CNA Aug. 26.
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While the reports regarding the threat of attacks in Europe and on the Pope appear to be unfounded, an Aug. 20 article published by Italian news agency Rai reveals that Italy is tightening its security. According to the agency, there have been no targeted threats or specific indications of attacks on Italy. However, a nationwide alert has been issued.

Translated original source: The Pope targeted by Islamic fundamentalists

The fundamentalist Islamic Group, led by Al-Baghdadi also intends to raise the level of the clash, still hitting Europe and even Italy. In particular, Israeli sources believe that the viewfinder of Isis there is Pope John, the greatest exponent of the Christian religion, as the bearer of false truth

I am not sure how substantiated this claim is given the fact Italy and the Vatican have noted there is no specific threat; however, Italy is taking precautions - though so are many European countries - against possible attacks from domestic citizens who are sympathetic and have gone to fight for ISIS/ISIL/IS/Caliphate (whatever you want to call them). That aside, an attack on the Pope, if successful would be a huge propaganda tool for them to gain further recruitment, boast of power and reach, and demonstrate their resolve. I doubt this is in their mind though because even an attempted attack, successful or not, on the pope would undoubtedly unleash all of NATO into the fight and that would be their end.

a reply to: AllSourceIntel

Man these guys are busy!!!
Plans to kill the Pope while planning an attack at the southern us border, all while we found the laptop that details all their plans for a biological attack!

St. Malachy Prophecy ... I've been saying that Europe has more to fear currently than we do from ISIS because Europe has been importing poor Muslims like we import poor people from Central and South America. Imagine that the numbers of Hispanics are Islamic and then imagine how many of those might have become radicalized, and you have Europe's potential problem.

ISIS may be claiming a fragment of a fragment, but if you run the percentages of Muslims worldwide and break it down by the percentage that claim to be radical, there are slightly more radical Muslims worldwide than there are US citizens, and then you have to figure that some percentage of those are going to fall in with ISIS. And, as ISIS gets bigger and more powerful, more successful, they will become a more attractive cause for the disaffected and frustrated.

a reply to: ketsuko

Well, let us not forget that Pope Francis says he expects to live two or three more years, and may retire

Pope Francis has publicly broached the prospect of his own death for the first time, light-heartedly giving himself "two or three years" but not ruling out retirement before then.

Talking to reporters on a flight back to the Vatican from South Korea, the 77-year-old pontiff, who seemed in good spirits, was asked about his global popularity, which was evident again during his five-day visit.

"I see it as the generosity of the people of God. I try to think of my sins, my mistakes, not to become proud. Because I know it will last only a short time. Two or three years and then I'll be off to the Father's house," he replied.

That in itself is rather interesting if you think about the Malachy prophecy, but I wonder if the ISIS plan will take some time to evolve, perhaps a couple years?

Why beef up security for the Pope?
One would think the highest holy seat of humans in Christianity and his followers or whatever title they're given wouldn't be afraid right?

If ISIS disposed of the whole vatican it would do the world a favour.

Getting rid of that enclave of pedos may not make up for all ISIS wrongs but better than nothing.

Wow, is it me or did ISIS/ISIL/IS or whatever they are calling themselves today, just get a ton of center stage spotlight in a short period of time? Seems like they are pushing really hard for everyone to recognize and fear this group as the next big threat.

As I have seen it incorrectly mentioned in this thread, I feel the need to point out that the pope is only the leader of the Catholic Church, not all of Christianity.

originally posted by: SpaDe_
Wow, is it me or did ISIS/ISIL/IS or whatever they are calling themselves today, just get a ton of center stage spotlight in a short period of time? Seems like they are pushing really hard for everyone to recognize and fear this group as the next big threat.

Yes, yet our governments seem to fear their own populations more. The thing is, why we need to keep on eye on IS and Ukraine/Russia, we must not forget that we need to keep our heads on a swivel as these issues while important and concerning in their own right, might and likely are distracting us from something more serious.

originally posted by: TycoonBarnaby
As I have seen it incorrectly mentioned in this thread, I feel the need to point out that the pope is only the leader of the Catholic Church, not all of Christianity.

potatoes- potAHtoes

Winston Churchill said it best when he warned us about the Islamic extremists, comparing them to the barbarians who stormed Romes cities and villages.
That man was right about pretty much everything in the form of extreme politics and war fare. Should we listen to him once more and finally take a stand?

originally posted by: strongfp
Winston Churchill said it best when he warned us about the Islamic extremists, comparing them to the barbarians who stormed Romes cities and villages.
That man was right about pretty much everything in the form of extreme politics and war fare. Should we listen to him once more and finally take a stand?

Nobody liked him ... probably because he had a habit of stating the unfortunate truth.

Someday soon we'll need people who will be able to stand up and tell it like it is again, and just as soon as we get past the crisis, people will go right back to hating them.

originally posted by: EyesOpenMouthShut
Why beef up security for the Pope?
One would think the highest holy seat of humans in Christianity and his followers or whatever title they're given wouldn't be afraid right?

The bullet-proof glass popemobile seems not to be enough, so more security is needed.

There's faith in action!

ISIS can't even attack some countries within the Middle East and they turn a blind eye to the country they should be attacking on a daily basis. Just more propaganda to keep the masses in the West pooping themselves. ISIS ain't sh*t...

originally posted by: ketsuko

originally posted by: strongfp
Winston Churchill said it best when he warned us about the Islamic extremists, comparing them to the barbarians who stormed Romes cities and villages.
That man was right about pretty much everything in the form of extreme politics and war fare. Should we listen to him once more and finally take a stand?

Nobody liked him ... probably because he had a habit of stating the unfortunate truth.

Someday soon we'll need people who will be able to stand up and tell it like it is again, and just as soon as we get past the crisis, people will go right back to hating them.

Hating who? Muslims?

originally posted by: EyesOpenMouthShut
Why beef up security for the Pope?
One would think the highest holy seat of humans in Christianity and his followers or whatever title they're given wouldn't be afraid right?

The dude is thinking about retiring like the last Satanist did... He actually thinks he will be dead within a few years because of illness or something.

a reply to: AllSourceIntel

Isis is over estimated. They haven't even fought a real military. They make empty threats and behead people who have their hands tied behind their back. What's all the hubbub, bub?

originally posted by: DarknStormy
ISIS can't even attack some countries within the Middle East and they turn a blind eye to the country they should be attacking on a daily basis. Just more propaganda to keep the masses in the West pooping themselves. ISIS ain't sh*t...

They are expanding and have made their way to the border at Golan, see here, but they are likely to consolidate the Muslim areas under their control and ways before attacking Israel, Europe, or the U.S. as it is a custom belief to unit before attacking - though opportunities that present themselves might not be ignored.

originally posted by: ItCameFromOuterSpace
a reply to: AllSourceIntel

Isis is over estimated. They haven't even fought a real military. They make empty threats and behead people who have their hands tied behind their back. What's all the hubbub, bub?

I wouldn't say over estimated. If anything is over estimated it would be a "real military" as Afghanistan and Iraq have demonstrated (as well as other historical cases) that "real militaries" are drastically over estimated in the face of guerrilla/asymmetric warfare.