Several ISIS terrorists were reportedly arrested in Indonesia last week for plotting to assassinate Pope Francis during his recent visit.
Indonesia’s anti-terrorism police, “Detachment-88,” said that seven suspects were arrested early in the week in different cities throughout the country.
Investigators made the arrests after receiving tips from the public but did not know if the suspects were connected.
The terrorists were allegedly plotting to kill the Pope because of his visit to Jakarta’s Istiqlal mosque and “the government’s appeal to television stations to refrain from the usual broadcasting of azan (Islamic call to prayer) while a live broadcast of Pope Francis’ visit was in session.”
“There are times when faith can be manipulated to foment divisions and increase hatred,” he said. “Prejudices can be eliminated, and a climate of mutual respect and trust can grow.”
Earlier this summer, a Pope Francis critic, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, was excommunicated.
Viganò was found to be guilty of “schism,” according to a statement from the Vatican.
The statement says that Viganò’s “public statements manifesting his refusal to recognize and submit to the Supreme Pontiff, his rejection of communion with the members of the Church subject to him, and of the legitimacy and magisterial authority of the Second Vatican Council are well known.”
“At the conclusion of the penal process, the Most Reverend Carlo Maria Viganò was found guilty of the reserved delict of schism.”
In response to the conviction, Viganò wrote on X, in part, “What was attributed to me as guilt for my conviction is now put on the record, confirming the Catholic Faith that I fully profess..”
“I say to my brother Bishops: “If you are silent, the stones will cry out” (Lk 19:40),” he added.
