Islamic extremists suspected over a bomb attack in a Pakistani market that killed more than 100 people had also planned an attack against the Vatican in 2010, Italian prosecutors said.
Wiretaps indicated the suspects were planning a bomb attack at the Vatican and that a suicide bomber had arrived in Rome, prosecutor Mauro Mura told a press conference in Cagliari, Sardinia.
Some of the Al Qaeda-linked suspects arrested in an anti-terror operation in Italy earlier may have been planning an attack on the Vatican, the Italian prosecutor has said.
Cagliari Chief Prosecutor Mauro Mura told reporters that as well as planning to launch attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the suspects may also have been aiming to target the Holy Catholic City State.
Mura said that, in intercepted telephone calls, investigators had heard the suspects say they would launch a "big jihad in Italy," and other conversations suggested that also suggested a target might be the Vatican.
The Democratic presidential candidate may also have shown his cards on his choice of running mate.
The US president also shared a post on Twitter accusing Dr Anthony Fauci of misleading the public over hydroxychloroquine.
Fears over an impending second wave of coronavirus dominates Wednesday’s front pages.