The gang also praised the Paris terrorist attacks, in which 130 people were killed on November 13th.

The four, all Kosovan citizens, were arrested as part of an anti-terror sweep conducted by police in Brescia in cooperation with Kosovan authorities, Corriere reported.

Described as “a highly dangerous group” with alleged links to jihadists in Syria, they are accused of “condoning terrorism” and “inciting racial hatred”.

Carmine Esposito, from Brescia’s police unit, told Rai Tre on Tuesday that the group “threatened Pope Francis, celebrated the recent attacks in Paris and threatened the ex-US ambassador in Kosovo.”