杏MAP导航

By Robin Gomes

杏MAP导航 Francis on Saturday met representatives of Italy鈥檚 state police in charge of security and law enforcement in and around St. Peter鈥檚 Square and the Vatican and thanked them for their 鈥渄aily service, carried out in praiseworthy fashion鈥� and for the 鈥渟pirit which animates it鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 traditionally meets the officials and personnel of the 鈥淚spettorato di Pubblica Sicurezza presso il Vaticano鈥� (Inspectorate of Public Security at the Vatican) at the start of the new year. 

鈥淭he year 2020 is already well underway, but I would also like to offer you my best wishes for this year that the Lord gives us,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 told the group, wishing them 鈥渁 time of serenity and peace鈥� for them and their families.

Discreet presence

The 杏MAP导航 noted that the service of the Ispettorato has 鈥渁 special meaning and value鈥�, as it is 鈥渘ot easy to relate every day to the tourists and pilgrims who visit St Peter's Square and Basilica and the Vatican Museums, or who come to meet the 杏MAP导航鈥�.  The police, he said, are called to combine the needs of visitors with the indispensable rules of public order and the tranquil unfolding of life around Vatican City and the places sacred to the Catholic faith.

The Italian police guarantee and coordinate all armed escort for the 杏MAP导航 when he leaves Vatican City.  

杏MAP导航 Francis said he has personally witnessed their 鈥渄iscreet, attentive and effective presence鈥� during his pastoral visits to Rome and Italy in the exercise of his ministry.  鈥淓ffective and attentive but discreet,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 emphasized, saying it speaks of their high human quality, for which he thanked them.

Love for Apostolic See

鈥淵our work, besides competence and professionalism, shows sincere love and faithful attachment to the Apostolic See,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, expressing his gratitude.  This praiseworthy service, he said, is made more effective and meritorious in cooperation with the Vatican Gendarmerie.

The Holy Father concluded with the hope that their daily commitment, which is sometimes risky, be always 鈥渁nimated by the flame of faith, hope and charity鈥�.  鈥淎 humble, simple but genuine flame.鈥�

The Inspectorate of Public Security at the Vatican was established in 1929 when the Vatican and the Italian government signed the Lateran Pacts, formally recognizing the Vatican's independence.  Since the Vatican is surrounded by Italian territory, the agreement entrusts the Italian police with the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 security when he leaves Vatican City. 

The Italian police guarantee and coordinate all armed escort for the 杏MAP导航, some top Vatican officials and important heads of state every time they leave or head to the Vatican.  

Two other separate security entities also cooperate to ensure security to the 杏MAP导航 and the Vatican 鈥� the colourfully dressed Swiss Guards and the Vatican Gendarmerie, which is the Vatican鈥檚 own police force.