Security was tightened at the Vatican on Saturday, one day before the canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square on Saturday to attend the Jubilee of Mercy audience ahead of Sunday's event, when the blessed nun is going to be declared a saint by Pope Francis.
With more than 100,000 people expected to jam St. Peter's Square on Sunday, including at least 13 heads of state or government, security is an obvious concern given that the Islamic State group has said Rome is their ultimate target as the seat of Christianity.
For months now, police have closed to traffic the main boulevard leading to the Vatican. In anticipation of the throngs expected Sunday, Rome police have added an extra 1,000 officers, many of them anti-terrorism teams, to a law enforcement force that has already been beefed up by 2,000 for the Jubilee year.
The security plan calls for the area around St. Peter's to be divided into three areas with reinforced controls starting Saturday night and lasting through Sunday.
Airspace over the Vatican and surrounding areas will be closed.
With more than 100,000 people expected to jam St. Peter's Square on Sunday, including at least 13 heads of state or government, security is an obvious concern given that the Islamic State group has said Rome is their ultimate target as the seat of Christianity.
For months now, police have closed to traffic the main boulevard leading to the Vatican. In anticipation of the throngs expected Sunday, Rome police have added an extra 1,000 officers, many of them anti-terrorism teams, to a law enforcement force that has already been beefed up by 2,000 for the Jubilee year.
The security plan calls for the area around St. Peter's to be divided into three areas with reinforced controls starting Saturday night and lasting through Sunday.
Airspace over the Vatican and surrounding areas will be closed.