Pope Defies Terrorism Threat

Police ran metal detectors over the worshipers filing into St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, but Pope John Paul II mingled freely with the faithful despite terrorism warnings.

Italy’s military has suggested John Paul could be a prime target of Islamic militants, who are angry at the West for a German court ruling earlier this month that accused Iran of assassinating exiled dissidents.

Italian police had a heavier presence than usual outside the basilica Sunday. Plainclothes and uniformed police stood guard among the thousands of pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter’s Square.

After Mass, John Paul made his traditional Sunday morning appearance at a window overlooking the square, speaking out for a global ban on land mines.