Pope Francis’ Funeral To Be Protected With Jets and Drones
Security measures in place prior to Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, April 24, 2025. X/ @johncookeradio
April 24, 2025 Hour: 12:28 pm
The unprecedented deployment of Italian forces is due to the presence of world leaders arriving in Rome.
On Saturday, the Italian Armed Forces will reinforce security in Rome with a sophisticated anti-drone system, Eurofighter combat aircraft, and a destroyer during Pope Francis’s funeral.
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The massive security operation includes the deployment of around 4,000 police officers, snipers, bomb detection experts, an aerial exclusion zone, and thorough checks at airports and train stations.
This unprecedented deployment of Italian forces and equipment is due to the presence of world leaders arriving in Rome to attend the ceremony. Attendees include 50 heads of state or government, 10 kings, and approximately 130 delegations.
Among those attending will be Presidents Donald Trump (U.S.), Javier Milei (Argentina), Lula da Silva (Brazil), Emmanuel Macron (France), and Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukraine). Also present will be the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with other European representatives.
The Italian security plan includes activating systems to detect hostile drones in order to neutralize potential aerial threats, as well as the possible use of Eurofighter jets to patrol the airspace.
Additionally, the Italian Navy will deploy a modern destroyer as part of maritime protection efforts in waters near Fiumicino Airport, which is expected to serve as the main arrival and departure point for many of the international delegations attending the funeral.
Pope Francis’s funeral will take place in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, after which he will be transferred and buried in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
