Vatican security heightened, but no change in plans for Pope's trip to Africa or Jubilee celebration

November 19, 2015

The police presence has been strengthened up around the Vatican in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris, and extra security will be in force when the Pope travels to Africa next week. But there are no plans to alter the Pope’s schedule, or for the Jubilee Year celebration.

Italian police forces have increased their patrols in and around St. Peter’s Square, with military police checking the parcels of visitors and plainclothes officers mixing with the crowd at the Pope’s weekly public audience. Italy has assigned 700 soldiers to extra security details around Rome, with the city on a high alert because of concerns about a new terrorist attack. The US embassy in Rome has sent out an advisory to American citizens, warning that St. Peter’s basilica is one of several possible terror targets in Italy.

However, Vatican officials have said that there are no plans to change the existing schedule of public events, either in Rome or in the three African countries (Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic) that the Pope will visit at the end of November.

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, told reporters on November 19 that the head of the Pope’s security services, Domenico Giani, will travel to Africa ahead of the Pontiff to make a final check of security. He will be especially alert for problems in the Central African Republic, where renewed bloodshed has raised questions as to whether the papal visit could be postponed. But Father Lombardi said that the Pope is committed to the trip. Although “we are monitoring the situation,” he said, “As things stand, we plan to go to the Central African Republic.”

Moreover, the Pope will travel in an open car during his African visit, Father Lombardi said. Asked whether the Pontiff had been advised wear a bulletproof vest, the papal spokesman replied: “This is the first I have heard of it.” He pointed out that it would seem contradictory to wear a bulletproof vest while riding in an open car.

Church leaders in the Central African Republic have voiced fears that the papal visit could be in jeopardy. But the apostolic nuncio in the troubled country, Archbishop Franco Coppola, observed that the Pope’s visit is designed to call attention to the chaotic situation there, “to remind the whole world, by this visit, of the difficulties into which the Central African Republic has been plunged and is trying with all its strength to emerge from.”

Back in Italy, meanwhile, the president and secretary-general of the country’s episcopal conference have both confirmed that plans for the Jubilee Year of Mercy will not change. “Cancelling the Jubilee would be totally mistaken,” said Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. “There absolutely must not be panic among the people, who must regard Rome, the pilgrimage to the Holy Door, with the usual serenity.” Bishop Nunzio Galantino agreed: “I don’t tell people not to come to Rome, but to rediscover the spiritual value of the Jubilee.”

The speaker of Italy’s lower house of parliament, Laura Boldrini, also said that it would be a “great mistake” to back away from Jubilee plans. Although concerns about terror are now high, she said, “there are no specific reasons” for fear about an attack in connection with Jubilee events.

 

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Further information:

• Pope will not wear bulletproof vest during tour of Central African Republic (CNS)
• Pope Africa Plans Unchanged, but Bodyguard Does Extra Check (AP)
• It would be a tragedy if the Pope could not come (ACN)
• Cancelling Jubilee would be mistake-CEI (ANSA)
• Gendarmes, spies can protect Jubilee-CEI (ANSA)
• Italy deploys soldiers around Vatican and Rome after Paris attacks (Reuters)
• 'Mistake to 'reconsider' Jubilee (ANSA)