Vatican prepared for Barcelona-style terror attack - Swiss Guard

[Cathoholic]

From the Times of Malta . . . .

Friday, August 25, 2017

Vatican prepared for Barcelona-style terror attack - Swiss Guard

’It could be just a matter of time’

It is perhaps “only a matter of time” before Rome is hit by a Barcelona-style attack but security forces are ready in case the Vatican is targeted, the head the Swiss Guard has said.

Security has been stepped up at religious sites throughout Italy, including at the Vatican, since last year, when a truck driven by a suspected Islamist militant killed 86 people in the French city of Nice.

Barriers and police and army vehicles have been placed around St. Peter’s Basilica to make it harder for a vehicle to gather speed in an attack such as the one last week in Barcelona, which killed 13 people. . . .

. . . Websites linked to Islamic State militants have made threats against Catholic targets in Rome in recent years.

In 2015 in a video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya, one of the killers said: “Safety for you crusaders is something you can only wish for … We will conquer Rome, by the will of Allah.”

At about the same time a website used by militants ran a photo montage showing the movement’s black flag flying from the obelisk at the centre of St Peter’s Square. . . .

. . . . Vatican security forces are trained in anti-terrorism tactics and in the use of modern weapons.

timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170825/world/vatican-prepared-for-barcelona-style-terror-attack-swiss-guard.656462

 

[PaulfromIowa]

It sounds as if they are daring ISIS to do something. I am sure that the Swiss Guards and the Italian police have plans, but I doubt that talking about them to the press is wise.

 

[John_Lazarus]

They are using a different rulebook.
A terrorist moving through St Peter’s Square will provoke an attack of opportunity.
Swiss Guards get +2 on Spot checks to identify adversaries, and automatically get Great Cleave feat with their halberds.

 

[graciew]

There was a concrete threat where ISIS tears the photo of Pope Francis and says they will get to Rome. It is a vídeo… I didn t have the heart to watch it. But the picture says it all.
The vídeo was released apparently August 20 by ISIS
August 24.news.

It gives warning that there are scenes you may not want to watch. I didn t…
You may google it if you wish,I prefer not to post the link,just in case. My links are in Spanish.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Praying for the safety of all at the Vatican.

 

[misstherese]

I was considering visiting Rome next summer. Now I’m not so sure

 

[EternalFlame]

I expect the swiss guard are sharpening their halberds!

But seriously, I have complete trust in them. Their training and arsenal are nothing to make fun of.

 

[starshiptrooper]

Perfect excuse to link to one of the best songs ever by Sabaton.