San Marino is gearing up for the visit of Pope Leo XIV, with extraordinary measures now in force for the historic centre. Ahead of the Pontiff’s arrival, scheduled for Saturday 22 August, Decree-Law no. 121 introduces a series of temporary provisions for shopkeepers and public businesses, aimed at ensuring security and public order during the event.
The main measure concerns the closure of shops to the public from 7am to 1pm. Owners and staff will nonetheless be allowed to remain inside the premises. Retailers are also asked, where possible, to keep shop windows lit and avoid pulling down shutters completely.
A few exceptions have been made. Public establishments will be permitted to continue operating exclusively as bar services, while neighbourhood shops may remain open to sell food items, provided this is compatible with the roadblocks and traffic diversions set up by law enforcement.
The security plan also calls for the removal of outdoor seating areas, platforms and street furniture in numerous parts of the historic centre. In the restricted traffic zone (Ztl) and in the main squares and streets along the Pope’s route, clearance must be carried out from 11pm on Friday 21 August until 2pm on Saturday 22 August. Even stricter rules will apply to Piazzale Lo Stradone, where removal will begin at midnight on Thursday 20 August.
From 7am to 1pm on 22 August, take-away sales and outdoor consumption of drinks in bottles, cans or glass and metal containers will also be prohibited. At the checkpoints leading to Piazza della Libertà and Piazza Domus Plebis, even rigid water bottles will not be allowed in, along with helmets, sharp objects, spray cans and pyrotechnic materials.
Gendarmerie, Civil Police and the Guard of the Rock will oversee compliance. Violations of the rules carry fines ranging from €600 to €1,000.
Secretary of State Rossano Fabbri has called for the full cooperation of business operators, stressing the importance of following the rules to ensure the success of what has been described as an extraordinary State event.
