Pope Francis in Italy last Sunday. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini)
A New Jersey teen plotted to kill Pope Francis during his 2015 visit to Philadelphia — attempting to hire a sniper to shoot him during his Papal mass, federal prosecutors say.
Santos Colon, 17, pleaded guilty Monday to attempting to provide material support to terrorists, according to court documents.
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The Lindenwold resident now faces up to 15 years behind bars after being charged as an adult in Camden federal court.
Prosecutors say he admitted to hatching the ISIS-inspired terror plot — which included setting off bombs across the City of Brotherly Love — between June 30, 2015 to Aug. 14, 2015.
The attack was supposed to take place during Pope Francis’ visit to Philly that September.
Colon had tried hiring a “sniper” to kill the Holy Father during his Papal mass, but the supposed hit-man turned out to be an undercover agent for the FBI.
Colon was reportedly inspired by the Islamic State — and had obtained instructions on how to make bombs from the internet before his arrest in 2015.
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