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| Italy's ring of steel for Pope Francis funeral: NATO jets, snipers, missile launchers and 8,000 cops readied for huge security operation as global elite including Trump and Prince William head to the Vatican |
| 2025-04-24 |
| As thousands of mourners flood St Peter's Square following the death of Pope Francis, Italian authorities are quietly executing one of the most complex and secretive security operations in Vatican history. With as many as 170 foreign delegations - including those of Donald Trump and Prince William – expected to descend on the Vatican for Saturday's funeral, along with crowds of up to 200,000 people, those overseeing the event are preparing for a hyper-vigilant few days. At the centre of the operation a shadowy military unit trained in drone warfare, typically deployed in conflict zones, now mobilised to keep a silent watch over the skies of the Eternal City. According to Corriere della Serra, anti-drone weaponry are being deployed, a no-fly zone patrolled by NATO AWACS surveillance jets will be put in place, as well as sophisticated anti-drone jamming systems. Snipers will be placed strategically on nearby roofs and barriers have already been erected inside and outside the basilica in an attempt to control the grieving crowds. Speaking to NBC, Rome's police chief, Marcello Fulvi, said around 8,000 security agents would also be in place for the funeral, including 2,000 uniformed police officers patrolling St. Peter’s and the boulevard leading up to it and another 1,400 plainclothes officers in the streets. Though Italian officials have not formally raised the terror threat level, insiders confirm it has been unofficially elevated, prompting sweeping measures across Rome and the Vatican. Airspace has been locked down, with a blanket ban on all aircraft – from commercial planes to hobbyist drones – to prevent any airborne threats during Saturday's historic farewell to the late pontiff. But this is no ordinary papal funeral. Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, will not be buried beneath St Peter's Basilica like his predecessors - a profound break with centuries of tradition. Instead, his final resting place will be the Basilica of St Mary Major, perched on the Esquiline Hill near the bustling Termini station - a route that throws Rome's security services into uncharted territory. The logistical challenge of guarding a funeral procession that stretches well beyond Vatican walls has triggered a massive mobilisation of Italy's security forces. Sources suggest that thousands of officers - including undercover units - are already in place, and more are expected to be deployed in the days ahead. Elite police and military units, the Swiss Guard, the Vatican Gendarmerie, and a complex network of surveillance teams are all involved. Major intersections have become choke points, swarming with uniformed and plainclothes officers, while the River Tiber is being closely monitored as an additional potential vulnerability. Italy's official terror threat level remains at Level 2 - medium/high, but authorities are treating this moment with the gravity of a state emergency. Given that more than 20,000 mourners formed eight-hour queues at the Vatican as they wait to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis today alone, it's easy to see why. Over the coming days, tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through the basilica to see Francis lie in state and at least 200,000 people are expected to attend the outdoor funeral service on Saturday. |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #6 After 4 years of Biden, we should be sending flowers. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2025-04-24 15:08 |
| #5 for the worst pope since the 30s. |
| Posted by: Ebbinter Slusing3165 2025-04-24 15:05 |
| #4 #1 See: London Has Fallen My first thought as well. |
| Posted by: badanov 2025-04-24 13:26 |
| #3 I find myself happy to be more than 4,000 miles away from Rome in the coming days. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2025-04-24 12:40 |
| #2 The perfect opportunity for Terrorists, or the M.I.C. to pull a False Flag incident. |
| Posted by: NN2N1 2025-04-24 11:57 |
| #1 See: London Has Fallen |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2025-04-24 10:52 |