Plumes of black smoke have filled the sky above the Vatican amid reports of an explosion.
Eyewitnesses spoke of seeing thick smoke coming from a building right next to the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church after a “loud boom”.
One news outlet in Rome claimed a large fire had erupted at an auto garage or wrecking yard near the walls of the Vatican.
There have been no official confirmation of the incident.
Pictures from the scene (inset: Pope Francis) 