Foiled Vatican plot triggers security concerns for Pope's Philadelphia visit

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Nearly 20 alleged terrorists were arrested by Italian authorities in a nationwide sweep of suspects who planned to launch attacks on the Vatican.

Through wiretap evidence, police say this plot was hatched in March 2010 when a possible suicide bomber from Afghanistan entered the country.

Two of the suspects served as bodyguards for late terror leader Osama Bin Laden.

Police say some of the suspects were involved in the 2009 bombing of a Pakistani market when more than 100 were killed.

This development triggers added focus on the Pope's visit to Philadelphia in September where unprecedented security planning is underway.

The Secret Service is ultimately in charge with Philadelphia Police fully engaged and watching developments all across the globe.

"You better believe we are paying close attention to what's happening, making the necessary adjustments and obviously Vernon I can't go into a lot of details," said Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross, Philadelphia Police.

The main event for the week long World Meeting of Families will be the Pope celebrating a mass on the Ben Franklin Parkway - where planners believe up to 3 million people may gather.

There's expected to be a shutdown of vehicular traffic all over Center City down to Old City.

The region's hospitals, more than 60 of them, are also getting ready with supplies and staffing for any possible situation.

"We're able to care for the routine medical emergency all the way up to - unfortunately maybe a catastrophic event that may take place," said Mark Ross, Hospital Association of Pennsylvania.

"We'll get a lot of cooperation from people in the tri-state area and maybe even further than that because it may require it," said Deputy Commissioner Ross.