Iraq’s ambassador to the Vatican is warning that ISIS presents a credible threat to assassinate Pope Francis.
While Ambassador Habeeb Al Sadr confirmed that he did not have detailed intelligence on a specific attack, he said ISIS has already clearly carried out its stated intent to inflict “genocide” on Yazidi and Christian populations and destroy Islamic holy sites.
Al Sadr gave his warning about the pope during an interview with Italy’s La Nazione newspaper. “Threats against the Pope are credible. Public statements and crimes against Christianity by ISIS are a fact. Just put two and two together,” he said.
Vatican officials have insisted that there is no threat to the pope’s safety as he prepares for a visit this weekend to Albania, which has a majority Muslim population. Church officials are so confident in the pontiff’s safety they’ve said he won’t ride in the famous Popemobile, which is meant to protect him from attacks during his world travels.
Pope Francis is set to visit Albania on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Christianity from the destruction of Communist dictator Enver Hoxha.
The ISIS threat against the pope was widely discussed earlier this year after he endorsed the “stopping” of the militant group and its persecution of 40,000 Christians in northern Iraq.
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