Five Arrested by British Police in Connection with Threat to Pope

The five men, ranging in age from 26 to 50, are being questioned in regard to a threat against the Pope but have not yet been charged.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - British police arrested five men Friday morning in connection with a threat to Pope Benedict XVI, who is in his second day of a four-day visit to the United Kingdom. The arrests took place at a business in Central London after police had received information during the night concerning a possible threat against the Pontiff.

Additional searches are being conducted at the business as the five, between the ages of 26 and 50, are being held under the Terrorism act. No hazardous items have yet been recovered and police have not indicated whether the men, who have not been charged, were British.

The Pope will meet later on Friday with Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and honorary head of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

On Saturday the Holy Father will conduct an open air service in London's Hyde Park, where public protests are also expected.

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