Religion News Service is reporting:

imageVATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican on Monday (Jan. 12) rejected reports that it could be the next target of Islamist terrorists after last week’s deadly attacks in France.

The move came as Pope Francis called for a “unanimous” global response to the self-declared Islamic State as he left on his first official visit to the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Israeli state TV reported Sunday that U.S. intelligence services had warned the Vatican could be the next terrorist target, as international leaders joined an estimated 2 million people in a massive anti-terrorism rally in Paris.

But the Vatican’s chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, on Monday said the Holy See had received no specific threats.

[ . . . ]

Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano and senior Italian police said there was no evidence of a particular threat at the Vatican but stressed that the tiny city state was on high alert, especially following persistent threats from the Islamic State.

Security has also been beefed up in Rome’s Jewish quarter, in front of media outlets and places of worship, and at popular tourist sites across the country.

And what is being done for the Shroud Exposition, April 19 through June 24, in Turin?  How much concern will there be among pilgrims and tourists to this major event? 

Picture from the blog Casa Isonzo, April 16, 2010.