Rome literally armored for the visit of American President Donald Trump, who arrived in the capital yesterday after his tour in the Middle East and who today will first meet Pope Francis in the Vatican and then the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.
The schedule of meetings is subject to change for security reasons, but it is certain that the meeting with the Pontiff will be in the morning: Bergoglio allegedly asked the US president not to arrive by helicopter so as not to disturb the faithful in St. Peter's Square for Wednesday mass, and to enter through a protected entrance, according to rumors reported by some newspapers. The motorcade should enter through the Porta del Perugino, about a hundred meters from St. Peter's, the same one used by the pope on his return from his travels.
The security plan is extreme: the clearing of the bomb squad and anti-explosive dogs along the possible routes of the presidential procession, which as usual will consist of numerous armored cars, has already begun for days. There are two security areas or 'red zones' around Vatican City and the Quirinale, with snipers stationed on buildings and the removal of vehicles and rubbish bins. Hundreds of men mobilized.
Of course you know who to escort there will also be agents of the US special forces and military bodies. In the areas crossed by the US presidential motorcade there could be the risk that electronic and cellular systems go haywire for a few minutes, neutralized by 'jammers' along the way to prevent electromagnetic interference or the activation of remote devices. Some bus and tram lines have been blocked (particularly in the Villa Taverna area, where the US ambassador resides and where Trump and his family will stay), while a peaceful anti-Trump procession is planned in the evening, starting from Piazza Bologna.
