ISIS targets Vatican -Italy's U.S. Embassy warns American travelers to stay away

'we must be prepared to give up some of our personal freedoms...'

Italy's United States Embassy issued a security alert to Americans in Europe as ISIS reveals attack plans on specific buildings including the Vatican and the La Scala opera house in Milan.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - In an email with the subject line "Security Message for U.S. Citizens," all Americans registered with the U.S. Embassy in Italy were warned that "Terrorist groups may possibly utilize similar methods used in the recent Paris attacks."

Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City was the first location on the emailed list, along with the Vatican, the Doumo (cathedral) and La Scala opera house in Milan. In an extra safety measure, the State Department warned against visiting general venues "such as churches, synagogues, restaurants, theatres, and hotels" in Rome and Milan.

Italian authorities are well-aware of the terrorist threats and have already begun to strengthen their security in and around the targeted buildings. Army units have already begun regular patrols around the Vatican and carry high-powered weapons.

Franco Roberti, the head of Italy's anti-mafia and counter-terrorism task force said, "The danger is real and objective ... but it is not concrete or delimited. We must protect ourselves from this danger by adopting all the preventive measures necessary. We do not need special laws, but we must be prepared to give up some of our personal freedoms, in particular in the area of communication."

The embassy email reminded Americans "to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings," while encouraging them "to monitor the media and local information sources and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities."

RAI state radio stated, "[T]here are no direct signs of concrete threats," and quoted an unitedified Italian government official who claimed Italy has eyes and ears from several sources and has chosen to neither over-emphasize nor underestimate the information.

Italy's foreign minister Matteo Renzi said the FBI is currently investigating five possible suspects involved in the threats, but no further information is available at this time.

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