Vatican Shrugs Off ISIL Threat To Assassinate Pope Francis
Erika Villanueva | | Sep 17, 2014 08:33 AM EDT |
(Photo : Reuters) Pope Francis
The Vatican insisted on pursuing Pope Francis' visit to Albania and Turkey despite a warning from an Iraqi ambassador about the Islamic State's (ISIL) threat to the Pontiff's life.
Iraq ambassador Habeeb Al Sadr has announced there is a possible assassination attempt on Pope Francis, and that the terrorist group will take every chance to kill the Catholic leader.
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He said that ISIL could try to kill the Pontiff during his travels, or even if Pope Francis is still in Rome. He said all this is possible because ISIL members come from different countries whose persons are difficult to identify.
However, Al Sadr clarified that even though the threat on the Pope's life is credible, he is not familiar with the details how ISIL would carry out the assassination.
Al Sadr called ISIL members a gang of criminals that should not be taken lightly. He pointed out the destruction that ensued along ISIL's path including destroyed holy sites in Iraq, be it Muslim, Yazidi or Christian.
Despite Al Sdar's warning, Vatican spokesperson Rev. Federico Lombardi claimed that though ISIL's threat is a general concern, no amount of threats would change the mind of Pope Francis nor the itinerary of his trip. He added that the Pope will not use his bulletproof popemobile.
Vatican security personnel remained 'calm' and are not planning anything other than allowing the Pope to ride on the same open-topped car he uses in St. Peter's Square during the 11-hour visit this upcoming weekend.
The Pope is scheduled to visit Albania on Sunday and Turkey in November, both of which are predominantly Muslim countries.
TagsPope Francis, ISIL, assassination attempt, warning, Iraqi ambassador, Habeeb Al Sadr, Federico Lombardi
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