(ZENIT News / Rome, 07.17.2024).- Italian authorities are investigating a potential assassination plot against Pope Francis following the discovery of a firearm in an abandoned suitcase at Trieste train station, just days before his scheduled visit on July 7.
The incident unfolded when staff at a bar within the station noticed the suspicious luggage and alerted the authorities. Inside the suitcase, police found a Czech-made semi-automatic pistol, a magazine loaded with 14 bullets, and brand-new clothing of Turkish origin. The rapid response from Italian security agencies highlighted the seriousness of the threat.
Despite the alarming discovery, Pope Francis adhered to his itinerary, attending the 50th Catholic Social Week in Trieste. He traveled through the city in an open electric vehicle and celebrated an outdoor mass in the main square, warmly greeted by the residents of Trieste.
Monsignor Enrico Trevisi, the Bishop of Trieste, confirmed that the Pope was briefed on the situation but chose to proceed with his visit. «The people of Trieste welcomed the Pope with immense joy, and we didn’t want anything to mar this occasion,» Bishop Trevisi told the local newspaper Il Piccolo.
In light of the potential threat, security measures were significantly ramped up. Anti-terrorism units and secret service forces were deployed to ensure the Pope’s safety. Surveillance footage captured images of a man, approximately 1.75 meters tall with dark skin, leaving the suitcase at the station before departing. Authorities are actively working to identify this individual and ascertain any links to the papal visit.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated that the matter is under the jurisdiction of Italian authorities. He reassured the public that, despite the security scare, Pope Francis’s visit went ahead without any further issues, focusing on the promotion of Catholic social teachings.
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