ishtartv.com- Catholic Online
The Vatican is under heightened concern that a terrorist
attack may be imminent. Iraq's ambassador to the Holy See, Habib Al Sadr, at
the time warned that "what has been declared by the self-declared Islamic
State is clear. They want to kill the Pope. The threats against the Pope are
credible."
Pope Francis has told law enforcement authorities in charge
of security around the Vatican that he while he saw "shadows and
dangers" - he encouraged not for them to give into fear.
"On the horizon we see shadows and dangers which worry humanity,"
Pope Francis said. There has been an increase in security around the Vatican
amid fears that Islamic State agents may be plotting to attack the head of the
Roman Catholic Church.
"As Christians we are called not to lose heart or be discouraged,"
Francis said in a New Year's message to the police.
Security has been on heightened alert in Saint Peter's Square since September
after intelligence services intercepted a possible plan to attack the Vatican.
Francis has frequently spoken out against the Islamic State group. The Holy See
has also voiced its support for U.S. air strikes in Iraq. This has led several
to think that this increases the Pope's likelihood as a terrorist target.
Italy's interior minister this month said police were on high alert in key
locations across Rome and around the Vatican after the Paris attacks.
The most visible sign of the West's Christianity, the Vatican has long been a
high-profile target among extremists. On Christmas Eve of 2003, hours before
Pope John Paul II was to say midnight Mass, the highest officials of Italian
government met to assess intelligence reports about potential terror attacks,
possibly including one on the Vatican.
Pope Francis has frequently spoken out against the Islamic State group. The Holy See has also voiced its support for U.S. air strikes in Iraq. This has led several to think that this increases the Pope s likelihood as a terrorist target
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