Pope Leo thanks directors and police officers of Italy’s Inspectorate for Public Safety for Vatican City on Monday for their work to ensure the safety of the faithful and pilgrims around Vatican City, especially during such an intense year which saw the Jubilee, funeral of Pope Francis, and Conclave, and entrusted them and their loved ones to the Blessed Mother and St. Michael the Archangel.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“I take this opportunity to express to you all my heartfelt gratitude for the valuable work you carry out in order to ensure the safety of myself, of my collaborators, and of the very many pilgrims and tourists who visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed this appreciation when receiving Italy’s Inspectorate for Public Security for Vatican City, which is charged with maintaining security in and around St Peter’s Square.
The Inspectorate for Public Safety for Vatican City is a division of Italy’s State Police, and thus distinct from the Vatican Gendarmerie and the Pontifical Swiss Guard. The Inspectorate’s duties focus primarily on providing security and maintaining public order in St Peter’s Square. They ensure the safety of the Pope and his collaborators, the pilgrims and tourists around St Peter’s Square, and all those involved in his pastoral visits throughout Italy.
The Holy Father began his address extending to those before him and their families my best wishes for every good in the Lord for 2026, and remembered in a particular way all they did during the Jubilee that just concluded, “as well as on the occasion of the death of my late Predecessor, Pope Francis, his Funeral, and the Conclave.”
“In those intense days, which certainly put your strength to the test as well,” Pope Leo commended, “you were able to keep pace with events that followed one another with great rapidity, sometimes planned and at other times unforeseen…”
Intense year managing endless crowds
He acknowledged how they ensured had everything took place in an orderly manner and demonstrating, as always, a spirit of sacrifice, professionalism, flexibility, and discretion.
The Pope recalled that in recent months more than thirty-three million pilgrims have visited Rome and, in particular, the Jubilee sites, foremost among them the Vatican Basilica and the surrounding areas.
He observed, “You had to manage endless lines of people and large crowds, accompany movements, and maintain security posts, in fair and foul weather and with schedules and rhythms that were often inconvenient and demanding.” In this regard, the Pope offered a thought of thanks to their loved ones who, indirectly, found themselves involved in these dynamics, adapting to the demands of your commitments and extraordinary work shifts and, I imagine, often forgoing your presence.”
Pope Leo welcomes members of Inspectorate for Public Safety for Vatican City (@Vatican Media)
Turn to your Patron, St. Michael the Archangel
Pope Leo underscored that order and security are gifts that require sacrifice from those who guarantee them, yet they contribute greatly to the good of all.
“A safe environment,” he said, “is in fact a great help to prayer, and in recent months countless visitors—some of whom arrived in Rome after long journeys and at the cost of physical and economic sacrifices—have been able to experience this also thanks to you.”
The Holy Father drew their attention to the prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, Patron of the State Police, and urged them to turn to him for help in their service.
Words of Pope Benedict XVI
In conclusion, Pope Leo said he wished to make his own the words that then-Pope Benedict XIV told them in 2013, namely, “May your presence, dear friends, be an ever more valid guarantee of that good order and that tranquillity which are fundamental for building a peaceful and orderly social life, and which, beyond being taught to us by the Gospel message, are a sign of authentic civilization.”
Finally, Pope Leo XIV entrusted them and their work to the Blessed Mother and to Saint Michael the Archangel and imparted his Apostolic Blessing.
Italy’s Inspectorate for Public Security for Vatican City (@Vatican Media)
