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World News

No specific threat to Pope, says head of security

But Domenico Giani said the Holy See was on alert in case of an attack by Islamic militants.

In a rare interview with an Italian magazine the man in charge of security at the Vatican said: "The threat exists. This is what has emerged from conversations with Italian and foreign colleagues".

But when asked if the threat was credible he replied: "At the moment I can say that we are not aware of any plan to attack the Vatican or the Holy Father".

Islamic State, which has taken over large parts of Iraq and Syria, has made several direct threats to attack the Vatican.

It used the front cover of its magazine to show an IS flag flying above the seat of the Catholic Church and last month ended a beheading video with the graphic "We will conquer Rome, by the will of Allah".

Mr Giani said the alert was "constantly high".

Last month Premier reported that up to 5000 extra soldiers were put on the streets of Rome following Islamic attacks in Paris and Rome.

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