AN Iraqi armed group has threatened to carry out attacks against Rome and the Vatican in retaliation for Pope Benedict XVI's remarks on Islam, according to a statement posted on the internet today. "We swear that we will destroy their cross in the heart of Rome ... and that their Vatican will be hit and wept over by the Pope," said Jaish al-Mujahideen (the Mujahideen's Army) in the statement, whose authenticity could not be confirmed.