Papal visit news: Teen arrested for alleged ISIS-inspired plot against Pope

By Marvie Basilan, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, September 16, 2015

A 15-year-old boy was reportedly arrested last month in a quiet operation by the FBI for allegedly plotting an attack against Pope Francis, the ISIS-inspired way.

While the child's name has not been released due to his age and other possibilities that could rise from his identification, multiple reports say the boy was from the Philadelphia area.

In a joint intelligence statement by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security that was spread among law enforcements across the country on Aug. 14, the authorities said, "The minor was inspired by [ISIS] and sought to conduct a detailed homeland attack which included multiple firecrackers, firearms, and multiple explosives, targeting a foreign dignitary at a high-profile event."

Sources told ABC News that the "foreign dignitary" mentioned in the bulletin is none other than the Vatican's Pope Francis, who will tour the United States next week and will conclude his trip with two days of events in Philadelphia.

The joint intelligence bulletin added that the boy was able to obtain instructions on using explosives and he later shared the instructions on social media. The boy is now facing charges of attempting to provide material support to terrorists, as well as to terrorist-related activities.

Part of the bulletin pointed out that the case that is now linked to the papal visit is a clear picture of how the Islamic State makes use of youth's vulnerability when it comes to communicating with the terror group and its supporters.

Meanwhile, some sources very closely related to the case have clarified that the boy didn't hold no imminent threat against the Pope as his plans were plainly "aspirational." The sources also said authorities are looking toward the boy's mental health stability.

In addition, law enforcers reported that there have been no specific and credible threats against the Pope to date. A spokeswoman for the FBI in the Philadelphia office said the FBI is working "closely" with the United States Secret Service and the federal, state, and local forces to make sure that the papal visit will be one that boasts of safety and "security" for all.