Terrorist attack plans AGAINST THE VATICAN unveiled during police raids in Italy

An al-Qaeda-linked terror cell, who once had direct contact with Osama bin Laden and planned an attack on the Vatican, has been uncovered and broken up during raids by the Italian police this week.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The group in question is believed to have been involved with the devastating 2009 bombing at a Pakistan outdoor market that left more than 100 people dead.

Prior to the raids and search for 18 suspected Islamic extremists, during an investigation, authorities discovered plans for a suicide bomber plot against the Vatican in 2010, while Pope Benedict XVI was the Pope.

A "martyr's vow" from the suicide bomber supporting the strike against the Vatican was revealed.

"[This is] one of the most important operations ever carried out in Italy," explains Mario Carta, an official from the counter-terror police force, speaking on the recent police raids breaking up a massive terror ring.

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According to the police, "the operation targeted an 'extremely well-structured terror network' based in Sardinia since at least 2005 that was made up of Pakistani and Afghan nationals."

"They were connected with al-Qaeda at the highest level," stated Carta, to USA Today, regarding the Italian cells deep connection with al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, when he was alive.

Wiretaps into the terror cell gave "signals of some preparation for a possible attack" in the Vatican, according to Mauro Mura, a lead prosecutor in Sardinia, where the investigation occurred. The suicide bomber even recorded arriving in Rome.

However, the in-depth plan was never launched and the suicide bomber left Italy.

Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi did not express worry over the 2010 planned bombing on the Vatican. "It seems to have been a proposal they did not follow up on."

So far, nine terrorists have been arrested, but two remain at large in Italy. Seven of the suspects are believed to be staying in Pakistan, according to Carta.

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