Plot Against the Pope Uncovered: Authorities Disrupt Terrorist Plan to Assassinate Pope Francis During Indonesia Visit — 7 Suspects Arrested for Alleged ISIS Affiliation

Authorities in Indonesia have successfully thwarted a planned assassination of Pope Francis during his visit to the country. Sydtomarket.net reports that seven individuals with alleged ties to ISIS were arrested in connection with this serious threat.

Pope Francis, who is currently on a 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific region, which includes stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore, was the intended target of the plot. The visit, which has included several significant engagements, raised concerns about the Pope’s safety, prompting heightened security measures.

The suspects, identified only by their initials—HFP, LB, DF, FA, HS, ER, and RS—were taken into custody on September 2 and 3. Their arrest followed critical tips from concerned citizens who had noticed suspicious activities and threats. During the subsequent police raids, authorities discovered a cache of weapons, including bows and arrows, a drone, and various ISIS propaganda materials, as reported by The Sun.

Initial investigations suggest that the suspects were particularly angered by Pope Francis’ visit to a mosque in Jakarta. In addition, Indonesian TV stations were reportedly requested to refrain from broadcasting the usual Islamic call to prayer during the Pope’s visit, which further inflamed the suspects. The exact nature of the suspects’ connections to one another remains unclear.

Colonel Aswin Siregar of Indonesia’s anti-terrorism unit, Detachment 88, revealed that threats had been made on social media, prompting the unit to take action. “We have a mechanism to monitor and filter social media for such threats,” Siregar said. “We received valuable tip-offs from the public which led to the apprehension of these individuals. They had made threats and engaged in propaganda promoting terror in response to the Pope’s arrival, including plans to set fire to certain locations.”

Despite his health challenges, which have required him to use a wheelchair, Pope Francis has continued to deliver powerful messages against religious extremism. During his visit to Jakarta, he condemned the misuse of faith to incite division and hatred. He emphasized the need for dialogue to overcome religious differences and foster a climate of mutual respect and trust.

Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population, has faced persistent challenges with terrorism. This includes high-profile attacks such as the 2002 Bali bombings and the 2009 Jakarta hotel attacks. The threat of Islamic extremism remains a global concern, with recent incidents such as a knife attack in Solingen, Germany, and disruptions to high-profile events, like Taylor Swift’s canceled concerts in Vienna, Austria, highlighting the ongoing risks.

The successful intervention by Indonesian authorities underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation in countering threats and ensuring the safety of high-profile figures like Pope Francis during their international visits.