Rome police prepare security plan for Epiphany events

Rome, January 5 - Rome police have prepared a security plan for several religious celebrations that are due to take place in the capital on Wednesday, including Pope Francis' Epiphany Mass and the opening of a Jubilee Holy Door at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love. Police said in a statement they were expecting large crowds at the events and that they held a technical meeting on Tuesday to prepare monitoring and security services. The pope's Epiphany Mass is due to kick off at St. Peters at 10:00. Then the Vicar-General of Rome Agostino Vallini is due to preside over the ceremony of the opening of the Holy Door at the sanctuary, which will be followed by a procession and a Mass. Francis will say the Angelus prayer from the window of the papal apartment at 12:00. Police are recommending that people who want to attend the events arrive well in time and carry as little as possible to make checks easier and avoid queues.