Pope meets Vatican’s Inspectorate of Public Security

January 14, 2013 - Pope Benedict XVI on Monday met the Italian police force in charge of law and order in the Vatican, wishing its job be a guarantee of an authentic civilization of a peaceful and composed social life. In an annual encounter with members of the Inspectorate of Public Security at the Vatican to exchange New Year's greetings, the Pope thanked them for their service not only in St. Peter’s Square and around it, but also during his visits in Rome city and in Italy. He noted that that their membership of the Church as well as their service in the Italian state, point to the good relations between the Holy See and Italy. The Pope wished that their job, which often entails sacrifice and dangers, be always animated by a solid Christian faith, which their families have entrusted to them, and which in turn they need to transmit to their children. He wished that the current Year of Faith be an occasion for them to look back at the Gospel message and make it sink deep into their conscience and in their daily life, witnessing courageously to the love of God in every sphere of life, including in their work. “Let your presence, be a more effective guarantee of that good order and tranquility, which are crucial for building a peaceful and composed social life, and which besides teaching us the Gospel message are also a sign of authentic civilization,” the Pope wished.
According to the website of Italian State Police, the Inspectorate was born in 1945 as Special Office for Public Security St. Peters and maintained the name until 1954 when it became Inspectorate General of Public Security in the Vatican. Since 2001, it has come to be known Inspectorate of Public Security at the Vatican. Agents of the Inspectorate are very visible within Vatican City can often be seen patrolling in St. Peter's Square, often in mini cars. In addition to providing protection for civilians around Vatican City, it also oversees coordination of security details for the Pope, Vatican officials and foreign heads of state as move between the two countries.