"Vatican deploys rapid - reaction unit: Security forces updated"

Adapted from "The Catholic World Report," August - September 2008.

"Domenico Giani, director of Vatican security services, recently told L'Osservatore Romano that the Vatican is upgrading its security forces.

"The Vatican security force has recently added a rapid - reaction force and an anti - sabotage unit.

"[T]he new units were introduced to meet the special needs of contemporary security.

"[Domenico Giani] did not disclose the size of the special forces, but did tell the Vatican newspaper that they have special uniforms and access to Interpol information.

"The Vatican gendarmerie is one of two separate Vatican security forces, the other being the more widely known Swiss Guard.

"Members of the gendarmerie are recruited from among Italian citizens."