Scottish Catholic Observer

The Vatican has no plans to increase security or vigilance amid reports of an alleged terrorist plot against the Holy See, saying the threat dates from 2010 and is of no present concern.

Fr Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman, issued a statement after prosecutors in Sardinia revealed details of the purported al-Qaeda-linked plot today when police issued 20 warrants and made nine arrests in raids across Italy.

“From what it appears, this concerns a hypothesis that dates from 2010 which didn’t occur,” Fr Lombardi said. “It has therefore no relevance today and no reason for particular concern.”

We don’t have proof, we have strong suspicion.

Prosecutor Mauro Mura told a press conference in Cagliari, Sardinia, that wiretaps indicated the suspected terrorists had been planning a bomb attack at the Vatican in March 2010.

Mr Mura said there had been ‘signals of some preparation for a possible attack,’ including the arrival of a suicide bomber in Rome.

Police Chief Mario Carta confirmed reports in the press conference by saying: “We don’t have proof, we have strong suspicion.”

Some of the suspects now being pursued are believed to have organised the 2009 market bombing in Peshawar in Pakistan, which killed more than 100 people. Local media said two of the suspects have provided protection for the deceased al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.