A joint effort by Italian and Kosovan authorities managed to interrupt the plans of an Islamic State (IS) terror cell before its members could carry out a brutal attack on Pope Francis.

The Daily Caller is reporting on the bust which occurred yesterday in Kosovo. Police describe this particular cell, which has ties to Syria, as being “highly dangerous”. Authorities believe the head of the cell, who had weapons in his possession when caught, originated from Italy.

Security in an around the Vatican has been high since the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13 that killed 130 and injured another 300 people.

Days later, IS released a video claiming that Rome and the pope were the next on their “hit list”.

“By Allah, if we brought down France in its homeland, in Paris, then we swear, by the command of Allah, we will attack America in its heartland, in Washington, Allah permitting, and we will invade Rome, Allah permitting,” the video declared.

The arrested are being charged with inciting racial hatred and condoning terrorism, charges which stem from threats the group made against the pope and the ex-U.S. ambassador in Kosovo.

According to the Caller, these arrests are just the latest in a rash of roundups of suspected terrorists in Italy that involved raids in Brescia, Vicenza and Perugia. In addition, four Moroccans were kicked out of the country for extremist views.

But we haven’t heard the last of it. Italian police suspect IS is planning attacks for December 8 in Rome as the Church commences its celebration of the Holy Year of Mercy – an event that is expected to bring millions of pilgrims to Italy during the course of the next year.

The faithful are being urged to pray for the protection of the Holy Father and all who will journey to Rome in 2016 that their visit may be marked by the peace of prayer rather than violence and destruction.

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