Police in Rome are in readiness for a flash mob event expected within the next few days with Internet and Twitter messages pointing to a gathering of several thousand people in St Peter's Square.
'The square is a popular venue for flash mobbers,' said Ispettore Giovanni Lampedusa.
Some mobbers will dress in colourful frocks, and perform elaborate dance rituals with smoke effects.
'We're not sure,' said Ispettore Lampedusa,'whether to expect the election of a pope, or a performance of the Harlem Shake.'