Plot to harm Pope Francis ‘disrupted’ by US security services ahead of high …

US security services have ‘disrupted’ a plot to harm the Pope when he visits the country later this month, it has emerged.

The alert has been raised as Pope Francis is due to visit New York, Philadelphia and Washington.

Michael McCaul, head of the Homeland Security Committee, said he had been briefed by the Secret Service on the threats.

Read more: Brother of IS victim David Haines calls for unity and tolerance year after his death¹

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There is particular concern because Pope Francis is known to enjoy mingling with the crowds during his public appearances.

Mr McCaul told ABC’s ‘This Week’ programme last night: “The Pope is a very.. .

passionate man.

“He likes to get out with the people and with that comes a large security risk.

“We are monitoring very closely threats against the pope as he comes into the United States.

“We have disrupted one particular case in particular, but as that date approaches, I think we re all very, being very vigilant to protect him as he comes into the United States.”

The nature of the case highlighted by Mr McCaul has not been specified, but Vatican Police confirmed this year it is monitoring threats made by ISIS against Pope Francis.

Domenico Giani, inspector general of the Corpo della Gendarmeria, the police and security service for the Vatican City State

He said in March: “The threat exists .

This is what has emerged from my conversations with Italian and foreign colleagues.”

References

1. ^{^} Brother of IS victim David Haines calls for unity and tolerance year after his death (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Pope nips out of the Vatican to buy some glasses in Rome (www.mirror.co.uk)

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