A MAJOR security operation being put in place around Pope Francis’ funeral made up of the world’s smallest army, fighter jets and snipers.
Italy is deploying a ring of steel around the Vatican City to help protect crowds of up to 200,000 and the almost 200 high-profile foreign visitors – including Prince William and Donald Trump.
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Heartbroken pilgrims have been flocking to see Francis’ body which is laid in rest at Saint Peter’s Basilica as part of a solemn three-day ritual.
His funeral will take place on Saturday and is set to be one of the largest and much touching events of the year.
A huge numbers of mourners will be arriving along with foreign dignitaries, royals and some of the world’s most influential figures.
This surge in famous visitors to the tiny 0.44sqkm country has prompted one of the most complex security operations ever to be launched.
A stealth military unit based out of Italy are leading the seismic task and are set to use anti-drone technology, sniper rifles, jets and even warships to protect the world’s elite.
Rome’s police chief, Marcello Fulvi, told NBC around 8,000 security agents are scheduled to be around the funeral procession.
This will also include 2,000 uniformed Vatican Gendarmerie patrolling around St. Peter’s Square and another 1,400 plainclothes officers stationed on the streets.
Military personnel will then be placed strategically across the Vatican and along the route where the Pope’s casket will be taken.
Elsewhere, the Swiss Guard will be on hand to help with the network of surveillance at the funeral.
They are known as one of the oldest military units on the planet as well as the smallest and have protected the Pope since 1506.
The guards, dressed in Renaissance-era uniforms, are the first line of defence across the country and have been protecting the coffin in recent days.
Anti-terrorism and anti-sabotage units are also already on the ground and are being assisted by traffic officers, reports Corriere della Serra.
On the day of Francis’ funeral, dozens of snipers will be placed on roofs to detect any suspicious movements.
All of the guards at the event will also be supported by teams who have access to a huge number of weaponry.
Anti-drone devices are being deployed to help create a no-fly zone over the funeral which will be patrolled by Nato AWACS surveillance jets.
Sophisticated anti-drone jamming systems are also being readied in the Vatican to ensure the aerial border is enforced, say Italian media.
All airspace above the funeral procession has already been shut down for the weekend by a complete ban on any overhead aircraft.
Much of the security work is being done in private with work tirelessly going ahead behind the shadows of the mourning Eternal City.
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Italian officials are yet to formally raise the terror threat level in the Vatican City but sources close to Italian officials say it has been unofficially hoisted.
Security has now started to ramp up in the country as thousands say their final goodbyes to the beloved Pope.
Officials released photos of Francis laid out in red robes while clutching a rosary inside a coffin in Saint Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican announced that St Peter’s Basilica will be kept open until midnight on Thursday to allow the faithful to mourn.
The 88-year-old Pope died on Easter Monday after suffering a stroke.
The Pontiff’s funeral is scheduled take place on Saturday morning with a mass in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City in Rome.
It will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals – Giovanni Battista Re – with the Pope’s burial taking place in a simple underground tomb in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
Cardinals and top clergy members are expected to attend the funeral, along with world leaders from across the globe.
Prince William will attend on behalf of the British Royal Family in place of King Charles.
US President Donald Trump has also announced he will fly to the Vatican City to pay his final respects to the Pope.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky is also set to attend along with Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and hundreds of international delegations.
Russian officials are not set to travel, the Kremlin confirmed.
Who will be the next Pope?
FOLLOWING the death of Pope Francis on the morning of Easter Monday, attention turns to the question of his successor.
Francis led the Catholic church for 12 years, right up until his death at 88 – as is tradition.
After the nine days of mourning have been observed – during which time Francis will be buried – the papal conclave will begin in order to select a successor.
All 252 cardinals from around the world will travel to Rome for the secret ballot, in which a maximum of 115 can vote.
When a candidate has two-thirds of the vote, they will be appointed Pope through a pontifical coronation.
Here are some of the front-runners:
- Cardinal Luis Tagle
- Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin
- Cardinal Wim Ejik
- Cardinal Raymond Burke
- Cardinal Peter Erdo
- Cardinal Matteo Zuppi
- Cardinal Mario Grech
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