ISIS: We will kill the leader of the world's Catholics and overthrow Rome
The Vatican was plunged into panic after ISIS released a video announcing its decision to assassinate Pope Francis, the leader of the world's Catholics, and to overthrow Rome.
The Express newspaper quoted Cardinal Pietro Barolin as saying on its website yesterday: “The Vatican will soon consider increasing security measures because it could be targeted for attacks due to its religious significance.” He added: “We are able to increase the level of security in the Vatican and the surrounding areas. We will not let panic take hold of us.”
The publication also reported that Rome has been targeted in a number of films released by terrorist elements in recent weeks. The focus on Rome, and particularly the Vatican, is likely a response to the Pope's condemnation of the Paris terrorist attacks.
After the deadly Paris attacks that killed 130 people, Pope Francis said: “This barbarity has pained the hearts of the serpents. We ask ourselves how a human being could plan to carry out such horrific events, because there is no justification for these actions.”
In one of the videos recently released by ISIS, the group's tanks are seen rolling towards the Colosseum in Rome. In the video, ISIS threatens a final war between believers and crusaders. The narrator also says that ISIS will take control of Rome and take Christian women as slaves.
