ROME, Italy—The Vatican recently established two new anti-terrorist units after several extremist groups listed it and Pope Benedict XVI as potential targets for terrorist attacks.
A rapid intervention group and an anti-sabotage department were created and both will work closely with Interpol, reported CathNews Australia.
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The anti-sabotage unit is specially trained to identify and react to suspicious packages or objects and will also have a supplementary role in other investigations.
The rapid intervention group will use new channels and resources to identify high-risk situations and prepare immediate action to neutralize possible threats, the news agency reported.
The anti-terror units’ collaboration with Interpol gives The Vatican access to a large databank of suspects, the latest information on criminal or subversive organizations, and information about the latest anti-terrorism operational procedures.
The units are part of an overall security upgrade at The Vatican, which has added metal detectors for all visitors to St. Peter’s Basilica and attendees at papal events. The gendarme corps—a group of highly trained civil officers that guard The Vatican—has been deployed at Vatican territories outside Vatican City.
In 2000, The Vatican added a command center that runs 24 hours per day and is connected with a network of surveillance cameras throughout the 109-acre Vatican City.
