Figueres, Girona, was the setting last week for a claim by journalist and author Vicenç Lozano about Pope Leo XIV’s security. Speaking at the town library, Lozano said agents from the CIA and FBI are now overseeing the pontiff’s protection, and that they are working as Vatican officials.
Lozano made the comments during a presentation of his latest book, Leo XI, Shadows Under the Dome (Lleó XI, ombres sota la cúpula). The event was hosted by journalist and Figueres city councillor Josep Maria Bernils, who introduced Lozano as a “very well-informed author, a true journalist.”
According to Lozano, the arrangement marks a departure from the usual security setup around the pope. He said the Pope’s personal guard is not relying only on the Vatican Gendarmerie, the Swiss Guard and the Holy Alliance, which he described as the normal arrangement.
Lozano also said these agents will protect Pope Leo XIV during his planned visit to Spain from 6 to 12 June. He described the Vatican’s security as “compromised” during the discussion in Figueres.
Lozano has written several books on Vatican affairs, including Intrigues and Power in the Vatican (2021) and Vaticangate (2023). He said his latest book is the first to set out the details of the conclave that elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.
He also spoke about the pope’s immediate circle, saying Leo XIV is surrounded mainly by Peruvians he knows, including his secretary, and by women who worked with him in Chiclayo. Lozano added that the pope also has support from young people and a group of American lay people and religious figures. More Catalonia news
