As thousands of mourners flood St Peter’s Square following the death of Pope Francis, Italian authorities are quietly executing one of the most complex and secretive security operations in Vatican history.
With as many as 170 foreign delegations – including those of Donald Trump and Prince William – expected to descend on the Vatican for Saturday’s funeral, along with crowds of up to 200,000 people, those overseeing the event are preparing for a hyper-vigilant few days.
At the centre of the operation a shadowy military unit trained in drone warfare, typically deployed in conflict zones, now mobilised to keep a silent watch over the skies of the Eternal City.
According to Corriere della Serra, anti-drone weaponry are being deployed, a no-fly zone patrolled by NATO AWACS surveillance jets will be put in place, as well as sophisticated anti-drone jamming systems.
Snipers will be placed strategically on nearby roofs and barriers have already been erected inside and outside the basilica in an attempt to control the grieving crowds.
Speaking to NBC, Rome’s police chief, Marcello Fulvi, said around 8,000 security agents would also be in place for the funeral, including 2,000 uniformed police officers patrolling St. Peter’s and the boulevard leading up to it and another 1,400 plainclothes officers in the streets.
Though Italian officials have not formally raised the terror threat level, insiders confirm it has been unofficially elevated, prompting sweeping measures across Rome and the Vatican.
Airspace has been locked down, with a blanket ban on all aircraft – from commercial planes to hobbyist drones – to prevent any airborne threats during Saturday’s historic farewell to the late pontiff.
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Nuns in the long queues to see Pope Francis’ body, days after his passing
Different members of the national and local law enforcement are seen near the Vatican, following the Pope’s death, in Rome on April 23, 2025
But this is no ordinary papal funeral.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, will not be buried beneath St Peter’s Basilica like his predecessors – a profound break with centuries of tradition.
Instead, his final resting place will be the Basilica of St Mary Major, perched on the Esquiline Hill near the bustling Termini station – a route that throws Rome’s security services into uncharted territory.
The logistical challenge of guarding a funeral procession that stretches well beyond Vatican walls has triggered a massive mobilisation of Italy’s security forces.
Sources suggest that thousands of officers – including undercover units – are already in place, and more are expected to be deployed in the days ahead.
Elite police and military units, the Swiss Guard, the Vatican Gendarmerie, and a complex network of surveillance teams are all involved.
Major intersections have become choke points, swarming with uniformed and plainclothes officers, while the River Tiber is being closely monitored as an additional potential vulnerability.
Italy’s official terror threat level remains at Level 2 – medium/high, but authorities are treating this moment with the gravity of a state emergency.
Given that more than 20,000 mourners formed eight-hour queues at the Vatican as they wait to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis today alone, it’s easy to see why.
Pilgrims and visitors stand next to barriers and next to an Italian police officer, as they wait to enter the St Peter’s Basilica and pay respects to the late Pope, on Via della Conciliazione in Rome on April 23, 2025
Faithful queue to pay respects as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025
Anti-aircraft missiles, part of the Italian Defense system, are displayed near Rome Thursday, April 7, 2005, on the occasion of Friday’s funerals of Pope John Paul II
Pope Francis’ body is carried in a coffin to Saint Peter’s Basilica, on the day of its translation, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025
Pilgrims and visitors queue at St Peter’s Square to enter the St Peter’s Basilica and pay respects to the late Pope in the Vatican on April 23, 2025
Tens-of-thousands of people are currently queuing in three lines, but mourners say the queues are moving ‘fairly quickly’ with people ushering out after paying their respects
St. Peter’s Basilica was opened to the public this morning so the faithful can say their final goodbyes to Francis as he lies in state for the next three days.
Thousands of people have already flooded the central aisle of the basilica, some crying and others taking a moment for prayer as they pass the pontiff’s open coffin.
Worshippers recalled waiting five hours just to enter St. Peter’s and said they then had to queue for another hour once inside the basilica, NBC News reports.
Tens-of-thousands of people are currently queuing in three lines, but mourners say the queues are moving ‘fairly quickly’ as people usher out after paying their respects.
One woman told the news outlet that her final goodbye was brief, sharing how she just simply blew a kiss towards the pontiff’s open casket.
But Vatican sources told Sky News that the queue is currently taking eight hours to get through, meaning St. Peter’s could close at midnight before mourners in the back may get a chance to pay their respects.
The timeframe for pilgrims to visit the pope’s body may be extended until beyond midnight today due to the large number of visitors, the Vatican said in a statement.
The basilica will reopen at 7am tomorrow and remain open until at least midnight to allow as many people as possible to file past. The final day of lying in state will end at 7pm so that St. Peter’s can be prepared for Francis’ funeral mass on Saturday.
Two Italian police officers patrol on horses with a view of St Peter’s Basilica in the background, near the Vatican, following the Pope’s death, in Rome on April 23, 2025
A woman reacts as she views the body of Pope Francis laying in state after being transferred into St Peter’s Basilica on April 23, 2025
The body of Pope Francis lies in state after being transferred into St Peter’s Basilica on April 23, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican
Speaking to NBC , Rome’s police chief, Marcello Fulvi, said around 8,000 security agents would also be in place for the funeral, including 2,000 uniformed police officers patrolling St. Peter’s
Mounted policemen patrol at Piazza Pia with the Vatican in the background in Rome on April 18, 2025
People queue to pay respects as the body of Pope Francis lies in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on April 23, 2025. The Pope died of a stroke on Easter Monday
People queue to pay their respect to the late Pope Francis, who will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for three days, at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The body of Pope Francis is carried into St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, where he will lie in state for three days
Over the coming days, tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through the basilica to see Francis lie in state and at least 200,000 people are expected to attend the outdoor funeral service on Saturday.
The pope’s body was moved this morning to St. Peter’s Basilica for three days of public mourning for an Argentine pontiff remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor and insistent prayers for peace.
Crowds of the ordinary faithful made their way slowly to the 16th-century basilica’s main altar today, where Francis’ simple open wooden casket was perched on a slight ramp, as four Swiss Guards stood at attention.
Many people paying their respects had come to Rome to celebrate Easter, on a spring vacation or other personal business, only to be met with the news of Francis’ death on Easter Monday.
Out of devotion to the Argentine pope and his message of inclusion, they joined the procession of mourners that wended through the Holy Door and down the central aisle of the basilica.
Francis was laid out in red robes, clasping a rosary and wearing a bishop’s mitre, the traditional pointed headdress.
Mourners waited hours to reach the casket – which sat behind a cordon – some holding their cell phones aloft as they neared him to snap photos in what has become a modern ritual.
‘It gave me chills,’ said Ivenes Bianco, as she left the basilica. She was in Rome from the southern city of Brindisi for medical care, and had come to pay her respects.
Children rest on the ground today as the faithful queue to enter St. Peter’s Basilica to pay respects while Pope Francis lies in state
Two Italian police officers patrol on horses with a view of St Peter’s Basilica in the background, near the Vatican, following the Pope’s death, in Rome on April 23, 2025
Two Swiss guards stand near St Peter’s Square at The Vatican, on April 23, 2025
More than 20,000 mourners have formed eight-hour queues at the Vatican as they wait to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis today
Pope Francis’ body is carried in a coffin into Saint Peter’s Basilica, on the day of its translation, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025
‘He was important to me because he encouraged co-existence. He brought many people together,’ she added.
Cardinals, meanwhile, met in private to finalise preparations for Saturday’s funeral and plan the conclave to elect Francis’ successor.
Francis died on Monday at age 88, capping a 12-year pontificate characterised by his concern for the poor and message of inclusion, but also some criticism from conservatives who sometimes felt alienated by his progressive bent.
The public mourning period began at 11am (10am BST) today after the pontiff’s casket was transported from his residence at Casa Santa Marta to the basilica this morning.
Mourners, including nuns and the ordinary faithful, wept as the coffin of the late pontiff was moved through the huge crowd in a solemn processional.
As the coffin crossed St. Peter’s Square, the crowd broke into repeated applause – a traditional Italian sign of respect at such events.
Red-hatted cardinals, priests, candle-carrying friars and helmeted Swiss Guards walked slowly into the vast, sunlit esplanade as a male choir chanted psalms and prayers in Latin while the great bells of the basilica tolled.
The body of the 88-year-old pope, who died in his rooms at the Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke on Easter Monday, was held aloft on a wooden platform by 14 white-gloved, black-suited pallbearers.
