8,000 policemen will guard the Pope in Israel

Around 8,000 police officers will accompany the Pope on his next week's visit to Israel.

Although this may seems as a somewhat extreme measure of security, President Obama received the same protection treatment on his last visit to the Holy land.

The security measures are taken as 'all sorts of extreme elements' are trying to 'create pressure and the impression of pressure' upon the Pope's visit and Israel authorities are willing to take no risk such an event might happen.

But, while the president opted for a bullet-proof limousine, the Pope will travel on the streets of Israel in an open, traditional car.

In addition, Pope Francis will be accompanied by a rabbi and a Muslim leader from Argentine, both of them old acquaintances of His Holyness. A Vatican spokesman explained that this an 'absolute novelty', no other Pope being joined by leaders of another faith until now.