"No Alert" of an Attack on Pope, Says Vatican

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 31, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Following reports of alleged threats of an attack against his person, John Paul II made an ample tour of St. Peter’s Square in an open-top popemobile.

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Seated in the vehicle, the Holy Father was able to greet more closely the 14,000 or so pilgrims at today’s general audience.

The Holy See denied news reports that a terrorist attack might be planned against the Pope around Easter.

«There is absolutely no alert,» Vatican spokesman Joaquín Navarro-Valls said in statements to the press.

On Tuesday, some media outlets reported that U.S. and European security services alerted the Holy See about a possible attack, and recommended that the Pope wear a bulletproof jacket in public.

The Holy Father plans to preside over all the major ceremonies of Holy Week.

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ZENIT Staff

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