Italian intelligence services
sources on Thursday denied statements by Rome Mayor Ignazio
Marino that specific Islamist terror threats have been made
against Italy during the upcoming Jubilee or Holy Year.
Pope Francis declared an extraordinary Jubilee on the theme
of divine mercy from December 8 to November 20, 2016.
The last Jubilee year was called by Pope John Paul II in
2000.
"There is no specific sign of attacks being prepared for
the Jubilee," the sources said.
"The situation is being closely monitored and an
intelligence task force has been assigned to the Jubilee...there
are no concrete causes for alarm or specific indications from
allied secret services on possible terror attacks," the sources
added.
Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino told Corriere della Sera daily in
an interview published today that "all the indications we're
getting from American secret services point to concrete risks of
terrorist acts in Italy and Rome".
The mayor went on to say "this is the first Jubilee since
September 11, 2001, and it is taking place in the time of the
Islamic State (ISIS)...I can't defend the capital from terrorism
with local police".
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