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VATICAN POLICE FORCE TO JOIN INTERPOL
30-09-2008
Pope Thanks Gendarme for Dedication
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 29, 2008 (Zenit.org).- With the Vatican gendarme corps set to be the 187th member of the international security force Interpol, the Pope and pilgrims should enjoy even greater protection.
The head of the Vatican gendarme, Domenico Giani, announced in a celebration Saturday at Castel Gandolfo that the corps is set to become part of the international force. The Interpol general assembly will confirm the membership when it meets early next month in Russia. At that time, the secretary-general of the governorate of Vatican City State, Bishop Renato Boccardo, will sign the agreement.
Benedict XVI addressed representatives of the corps Saturday, offering a brief greeting in which he expressed his “sincere gratitude for the competence and dedication” with which they serve the Church.
Giani also announced that an “agreement of cooperation with Italian police,” due to the “upsurge in criminal activity,” is being studied, Vatican Radio reported.
The celebration at Castel Gandolfo, which was accompanied by a Gendarme corps band concert, began with Mass celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, governor of Vatican City State, and police chaplain Monsignor Giulio Viviani.
After the blessing of a new gendarme banner, the event continued with a film on the history and activity of the corps.
The gendarme corps oversee the security and public order which encompass all regular police duties, including border control, crime prevention and investigation, and enforcement of financial and commercial regulations.
Currently there are 160 members, all of Italian origin. The force includes personnel who specialize in anti-terrorist and anti-sabotage security.
The Holy Father’s protection in Italian territory is guaranteed in collaboration with the Inspectorate for Public Security at the Vatican. Outside of Italy the gendarme cooperate with the police forces of the countries that host the Pope on his travels.
