Federal Bureau of Investigation arrests teen planning Islamic State-inspired attack on Pope Francis

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested a 15-year-old boy near Philadelphia for allegedly plotting to attack Pope Francis and unleash ISIS-inspired hell during the pontiff’s upcoming USA visit, it was revealed Tuesday.

He has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organisation and attempting to provide material support to terrorist activity, according to the bulletin.

The Pope’s visit comes amid calls from Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri for more “lone wolf” terror attacks by operatives in western countries, including the United States.

As WCBS 880’s Rich Lamb reported, the pope will arrive as a broker of renewed diplomatic relations between the USA and the island nation.

Pope Francis’ visit to the US will culminate with his participation in the Philadelphia World Meeting of Families, which is expected to draw large crowds, especially for Francis’ closing Mass September 27.

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.

After traveling to Cuba and possibly visiting with Fidel Castro, the Pope will travel to Washington D.C., where he will meet with President Obama, preside over Mass and address Congress, according to the Vatican.

Sources familiar with the case told ABC that any threat from the boy was not imminent, saying his plans were “aspirational”. In an Easter peace wish, Pope Francis on Sunday praised the framework nuclear agreement with Iran as an opportunity to make the world safer, while expressing deep worry about bloodshed in Libya, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa.

“We will not comment on any specific investigation or threat”, a spokeswoman for the FBI’s field office in Philadelphia said in a statement sent to The Independent.

The papal visit also presents unique challenges because Pope Francis doesn’t want security so heavy it prevents his interaction with pilgrims, and because of perceived threats from potential attackers not on the radar of law enforcement.

A screen capture of tickets being scalped online for Pope Francis’ visit to New York on September 25.