Islamic State Video Fantasizes Apocalyptic Battle Over Rome and the Vatican

A new Islamic State video presents the jihadist group’s apocalyptic vision of a final battle with Christianity in Rome and at the Vatican.

Both the Coliseum and St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican are featured in the video production, which includes depictions of the black Islamic State flag over the entire Middle East, the group’s first step in achieving its goal of a worldwide Islamic caliphate.

Britain’s Daily Mirror reported that the Arabic language in the video titled "Meeting at Dabiq" refers “to the location of a final, decisive battle between the 'Crusaders' and the 'Believers.’”

St. Peter's Basilica in the Islamic State's apocalyptic fantasy video. (Image source: Islamic State video)

According to the Daily Mail, the narrator says the jihadists will destroy “crusader” sites.

“This is your last crusade, the next time it is us who will take the battle on your own land,” he says.

The group makes clear with which country it is at war, displaying in the video the flags of 60 countries — including the U.S. and U.K.

Video shows how many countries with which the Islamic State group views itself at war. (Image source: Islamic State video)

The Islamic State aims to conquer the entire Middle East then move elsewhere. (Image source: Islamic State video)

The video includes images of militants preparing for battle, practicing martial arts, strangling victims, kissing the bodies of dead jihadists and wearing suicide vests as they head to Europe.

The video showed ample armored vehicles in the jihadist group's arsenal. (Image source: Islamic State video)

Other scenes reveal how the jihadist group is stocked with armored fighting machines  — such as tanks — waving the Islamic State flag and heading to the world headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.