No special security planned for Pope's trip to Turkey

November 21, 2014

Vatican officials insist that they have no special concerns about security as Pope Francis prepares to travel to Turkey next week.

“There is no specific reason for concern,” Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera. The Vatican has consistently downplayed rumors that the Pope could be the target of Islamic extremists as he visits the overwhelmingly Muslim country. Those rumors took on new urgency this week, as leaders of the Islamic State proclaimed their ambition to conquer Rome.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Vatican says no specific concerns about pope's Turkey trip