Fighter jets, sniper units part of huge security operation in place for Pope Francis’s funeral

Pope Francis funeral’s security ‘immense’ as 8,000 officers deployed

Massive security preparations are underway ahead of the ceremony, which will see fighter jets patrolling the skies above Rome.

Security in and around Vatican City is being tightened ahead of Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday, with thousands of police officers deployed to ensure safety as hundreds of world leaders and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to arrive to bid their final farewell.

DECRYPTAGE - The Eternal City has deployed an unprecedented device to secure the funeral of the Holy Father, for which 130 delegations and 50 heads of state are expected.

Guns and grins: The 'unprecedented' security operation for Pope Francis's funeral

Pope Francis's decision to be buried outside the Vatican has heightened the security operation around his funeral, which is drawing in leaders from around the world.

Civil Protection volunteers on hand to streamline flow for Francis’ funeral

Members of Civil Protection at the Vatican. / Credit: Victoria Cardiel/EWTN News Vatican City, Apr 25, 2025 / 15:19 pm (CNA). More than 1,800 Italian Civil Protection volunteers are currently deployed around St. Peter’s Basilica and throughout central Rome to coordinate and facilitate the flow of pilgrims paying their final respects to Pope Francis.“Our task is to provide assistance to the pilgrims, information on where to go, access routes to t…

Giampaolo Monastra (46) is busy these days. He answers two calls at the same time and looks out on six screens from his desk in his office. On it, you can see images from TV cameras around Saint Peter's Square. One floor below is the operating room. Dozens of uniformed police officers sit and walk there and many dozens of images from TV cameras in Rome can be seen.