Security across Rome and around the Vatican has been tightened after the Paris attacks. Pope Francis has made himself a target by speaking out against the barbaric acts of Islamic State extremists. Vatican supported the U.S airstrikes in Iraq and condemned the brutal killings of Christians in Iraq and African peninsula.

Iraq's ambassador to the Holy See, Habib Al Sadr, warned that "what has been declared by the self-declared Islamic State is clear. They want to kill the Pope. The threats against the Pope are credible."

More Italian police officers are deployed to take charge of security around the Vatican. While talking to Italian police officers today Pope Francis said he saw "shadows and dangers", but urged them not to give in to fear.

In September intelligence services intercepted a possible plan to attack the Vatican.