ISIS Threat to the Vatican and Pope Francis is Very Real, Security Chief Says

ISIS is posing a very real and tangible threat to Pope Francis, a Vatican security official has said.

Pope Francis smiles as he chats with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III to board his Philippine Airlines chartered plane following a pastoral visit to Manila and typhoon-ravaged Tacloban city Monday, Jan. 19, 2015. Pope Francis flew out of this Catholic bastion in Asia on Monday after a weeklong trip that included a visit to Sri Lanka and drew what Filipino officials says was a record crowd of 6 million faithful in a Manila park where he celebrated Mass. AP Photo/Bullit Marquez

ISIS is posing a very real and tangible threat to Pope Francis, a Vatican security official has said.

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, ISIS, released a video several weeks ago, showing the alleged beheadings of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya. Toward the end of the video, a masked militant makes a threat against Rome, Italy and its Christians.

“The threat exists,” Vatican security chief, Domenico Giani, told Polizia Moderna, a state-run publication in Italy. “At the moment, I can say that we know of no plan for an attack against the Vatican or the Holy Father,” he added.

READ MORE

• See ‘SNL’ Making Fun of ISIS in Controversial Skit that Has Offended Many