Philadelphia teen was arrested for trying to organize attack on Pope
September 16, 2015
A Philadelphia teenager was arrested by the FBI last month, after he reportedly sought to orchestrate an attempt on the life of Pope Francis, ABC news has reported.
The 15-year-old, who has not been identified, was not viewed as an immediate threat to the Pope’s security, FBI officials disclosed. His plans, and his attempts to obtain information about making explosives, were “aspirational,” and no concrete plot had been made, the FBI said.
Nevertheless, the young man’s arrest illustrates the security concerns surrounding the papal visit, and the dangers posed by “lone-wolf” terrorists. Federal officials said that the teen was inspired by Islamic State propaganda, and was using social media to recruit co-conspirators.
A FBI statement on the boy’s arrest said only that he had hoped to target a “foreign dignitary at a high-profile event.” Sources told ABC, however, that the “dignitary” in question was the Pope.
The arrest appears to match a recent statement by Texas Congressman Michael McCaul that federal officials had recently disrupted a plot to attack Pope Francis.
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Further information:
- Teen Arrested for Planning Alleged ISIS-Inspired Attack on Pope (ABC)
- US thwarts plan to attack Pope during visit (CWN, 9/14)
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