Intelligence provided to Italian authorities by Tunisian government indicates the individual below, Mathlouthi Atef, age 44, is a member of the Islamic State (Daesh), is known to be Italy, and is believed to be planning an attack in Rome during Easter celebrations.

Security is extremely tight in the city.

The two weeks surrounding Easter are one of the busiest times of the year in Rome. Hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims arrive for what amounts to the most important event in the Catholic calendar. Dozens of large public gatherings take place, including different masses and events in Saint Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum and elsewhere.

Since the initial proclamation of the Caliphate in June, 2014, the Islamic State has made more than 400 references to and threats against Italy, Rome and the Vatican within it's English-language publications and other propaganda alone.

There is even an online magazine used by the Islamic State for propaganda, threats, operational claims and the sharing of fieldcraft known as 'Rumiyah' (Arabic for Rome).

The Islamic State devotes significant attention to Italy and Rome as they serve as symbols for the West, Christianity, the Crusades and "the Cross." Many references are derived from Islamic religious texts such as the 'hadiths' (collections of traditions and sayings of the prophet Muhammad) which state that the Day of Judgment will come only when Muslims will fight the "Romans" and that predict the conquest of "Rome."