During the funeral of Pope Francis I, held on April 26, 2025, Italian and local authorities operating at the Vatican City deployed anti-drone weapons to ensure security as over 250,000 attendees gathered to pay their respects.
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, ushering in a near week-long period of mourning that culminated in a funeral attended by over 250,000 people near St. Peter’s Basilica. Among the mourners were prominent global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, former U.S. President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alongside representatives from approximately 130 other nations.
Given the significant turnout, security was exceptionally tight. The Swiss Guard, tasked with the protection of the Pope, collaborated with the Italian Armed Forces in what has been described as one of the most complex security operations in Vatican history. Elisabetta Accardo, Rome Police control room spokeswoman, told Sky News that “it is unprecedented. The level of security is at the maximum,” and described the operation as “structured three-dimensional security”. Carabinieri military police chief Ciriaco Sarnelli further called it “an extraordinary operation”.
While the primary focus was on securing the ground, the rising threat of aerial attacks worldwide added a new dimension to the mission. According to The Aviationist, the 16th Wing “Fucilieri dell’Aria,” part of the Italian Air Force, utilized specialized operators trained in C-UAS operations. These teams were on hand to deploy radar detection, electro-optical sensors, and electronic deterrent devices if necessary to neutralize drones within sensitive areas of Rome and Vatican City.
Furthermore, the airspace over the Vatican was completely restricted, establishing a no-fly zone actively monitored by NATO Boeing E-3A surveillance jets, equipped with radar systems and anti-drone technology.
Whilst the specifications and manufacturer of the handheld C-UAS systems deployed during the operation have not been officially confirmed, they bear a close resemblance to the CPM DJI-120-4B and CPM-WATSON-PLUS, produced by the Italian company CPM Elettronica.
Post Image Credit: il Giornarle.
