Vatican prepared in case of Barcelona-style attack - Swiss Guard chief

FILE PHOTO: Security cameras are seen in front of Pope Francis as he leads a Sunday Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican, August 20, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File photo

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - It is perhaps "only a matter of time" before Rome is hit by a Barcelona-style attack but security forces are ready in case the Vatican is targeted, the head the Swiss Guard has said.

Security has been stepped up at religious sites throughout Italy, including at the Vatican, since last year, when a truck driven by a suspected Islamist militant killed 86 people in the French city of Nice.