Islamist plots to attack the Vatican explained

Islamist plots to attack the Vatican refers to two alleged terrorist plans to attack the Vatican, neither of which were carried out.^[1]

Alleged 2010 plan

The 2010 plan was allegedly to attack the Vatican with a bomb. It was uncovered after the arrest of 9 individuals on 24 April 2015 by Italian DIGOS detectives on charges of plotting to bomb the Vatican. There was evidence that the 9 October 2009 Peshawar bombing in Pakistan was substantially planned and financed from Olbia, Sardinia, and that some Italy-based militants took part in it.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Alleged ISIS plan

The 2016 attack plot was allegedly planned by a Moroccan national, Abderrahim Moutahrrick, on orders from ISIS to attack the Vatican and the Israeli Embassy in Rome during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy year announced by Pope Francis to extend from December 2015 to November 2016.^[5] The instruction arrived via WhatsApp sent from within ISIS-held territory; it read: "Dear brother Abderrahim, I send you... the bomb poem... listen to the sheik and strike," referencing ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.^{[5] [6]}

See also

• Strasbourg Cathedral bombing plot

Notes and References

1. News: Six arrested in alleged Islamic State attack on Vatican. 28 May 2017. Catholic News Service. The Tablet. 29 April 2016.
2. News: Italy terror cell that plotted to bomb Vatican smashed, prosecutors say . The Guardian. 24 April 2015. 26 July 2016.
3. News: Terror suspects planned Vatican attack in 2010, Italian authorities say. 26 July 2016. Los Angeles Times. 24 April 2015.
4. News: Botelho. Greg. Faith turns Christians into terrorist targets. 26 July 2016. CNN. 24 April 2015.
5. News: Moore. Jack. Italy Uncovers Islamist Plot to Attack Vatican and Israeli Embassy. 26 July 2016. Newsweek. 28 April 2016.
6. News: Modak. Sebastian. Italian Authorities Arrest Four In Vatican Terror Plot. 26 July 2016. Conde Nast Traveler. 29 April 2016.