Pope Francis has shunned a presidential guard escort
for his first state visit to the Italian president in yet another
breach of protocol, even though some people have expressed concerns for
his safety as he ramps up his reform of the Vatican.
The Pope's simple blue Ford Focus and the small Vatican motorcade
pulled up to the Quirinale Palace without the blaring of sirens that
typically accompanies politicians and foreign dignitaries cruising
through central Rome.
Once inside the one-time summer residence of
popes, the pontiff walked slowly with President Giorgio Napolitano past
the honour guard.
Pope Francis's shunning of the trappings of the
papacy – including its security apparatus – has defined his papacy so
far.
But his desire to be close to his flock and his aim to curb
corruption and waste in the Vatican have raised fresh security fears.
A
leading anti-Mafia prosecutor, Nicola Gratteri, has warned that
Francis's financial house-cleaning might make him a target for Italy's
mob, though he provided no evidence that such a threat existed or that
the mob was planning a hit.
The Vatican spokesman, the Rev
Federico Lombardi, said the Holy See was not concerned, adding, "There's
no reason to fuel such alarmism".