The Iraqi ambassador to the Vatican City has reportedly warned the church that Pope Francis may be targeted by the Islamic State (IS) ahead of his first visit to Albania this weekend.
Habeeb Al Sadr, has warned that the threats against the Pope are "credible" and that the militants may try to kill him during one of his overseas visits or even in Rome, reported The Daily Star.
Sadr added that the group may engage a westerner jihadist to commit a terror attack in Europe.
The militants have also spoken about flying IS' black flag atop St Peter's Basilica and have boasted about spreading the caliphate to Rome.
Pope's visit to Albania will be his first visit to a Muslim-majority country. He is also set to visit Turkey later in the year.
Meanwhile, the Vatican has downplayed the threat and has said that they will not alter the Pope's schedule.
