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A jihadi group published a poster showing a masked person with an explosive device driving toward St. Peter’s Basilica
By Kathryn Blackhurst, LifeZette, November 16, 2017
A pro-ISIS group recently issued a poster threatening to spill “Christmas blood” in an attack on the Vatican and Pope Francis, the Middle East Research Institute (MEMRI) said Tuesday night.
The Wafa Media Foundation circulated a poster depicting a masked person driving a BMW toward a crowded St. Peter’s Basilica. In the car with the apparent terrorist were a gun, an explosive device, and a backpack. Printed on the poster are the words, “Christmas blood” and, “So wait …” The Pope is scheduled to celebrate Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s on December 24.
MEMRI, which monitors terror groups, said that the poster first appeared Tuesday night on Telegram, an anonymous messaging app. The Daily Mail noted that “such posters do not typically warn of a direct threat, but act as a call to action for lone wolf attackers who may be waiting to strike.”
The day after the poster circulated, Pope Francis signed a donated white and yellow Lamborghini outside the Vatican to be auctioned off in support of raising money for ISIS militants’ victims and also victims of human trafficking and forced prostitution.
The Christmas season at the Vatican attracts thousands of visitors each year, and large seasonal crowds can attract the attention of terrorist groups and lone wolves.
Back on Dec. 19, 2016, Tunisian terrorist Anis Amri slammed a truck into crowds gathered at a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and wounding 56 others. Using vehicles to strike pedestrians has become a frequent method of attack for terrorists in Europe, making it difficult for police to prepare.
