Colosseum Via Crucis on 'lockdown' for Easter safety

(ANSA) - Rome, March 25 - Friday evening's Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession led by Pope Francis at the Colosseum will take place in a high-security lockdown against terrorist threats.
    Various security checkpoints will be cordoned off in a radius to screen visitors in separate stages prior to entering the area surrounding the Colosseum.
    Checks will involve portable and fixed metal detectors as well as bomb squads with sniffer dogs.
    Rome's police headquarters said the city's Easter weekend security plan to continue through Easter Monday "is designed to guarantee maximum safety conditions for everyone who wants to participate in the religious events".
    Weekend surveillance will be increased on city buses in cooperation with public transport company ATAC.
    Police said "door-to-door" security checks will also continue, which in the last month have resulted in controls on seven illegally occupied buildings, identification of more than 3,000 people, and the vacating of 14 camps.