Pope Francis Wanted a Small Funeral; He's Getting Fighter Jets

 Pope Francis specified in his last wishes he wanted a "simple" funeral "without particular decoration," in keeping with his aim during his papacy to eschew formalities and bring the Roman Catholic Church closer to the people, the USA Today website reports today (April 26, 2025). 

Security experts, however, say the operation to secure the pope's funeral in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City will be anything but uncomplicated and straightforward. It will be attended by dozens of religious and political leaders from around the world, including President Donald Trump, and thousands of ordinary worshipers. 

"This is what I would call a 'Grade A' event," said Dai Davies, former dividional commander in Britain's Metropolitan Police and Head of Royal Protection. Davfies' job was to keep the country's royal family, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, safe. 

Matteo Piantedosi, Italy's interior minister, told local media authorities are working on the assumption that about 200 high--profile visitors and their delegations will attend the funeral on April 26, along with a crowd of up to 200,000 well--wishers.

Pope Francis, like all popes for the last 500 years, was protected by 135 so--called Swiss Guards, whose striped blue, red, and yellow uniforms paired with a feather--topped black helmet belie their elite training in counterintelligence, close--quarters combat, and bomb disposal. According to the Corriere della Sera daily newspaper, they are getting subsrtantial backup for the funeral in the form of a tight security ring around the world's smallest country -- Vatican City measures just 0.19 square miles -- comprised of snipers with high--powered rifles on rooftops and specialist soldiers toting anti--drone bazookas that can disable unauthorized UAVs with radio waves. 

Rome's police chief, Marcello Fulvi, has said roughly 8,000 security agents will be on hand, including 2,000 uniformed police officers and another 1,400 plain--clothes ones who will patrol the basilica and other surrounding and nearby areas.