New Jersey teen pleads guilty in plot to assassinate the Pope

A New Jersey teenager pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to kill Pope Francis.

Santos Colon, 17, admitted on Monday in a federal court that he attempted to conspire with a sniper to shoot the Pope during a public Mass in Philadelphia, according to a statement by federal prosecutors.

He also planned to set off explosive devices in surrounding areas.

"Colon engaged in target reconnaissance with an FBI confidential source and instructed the source to purchase materials to make explosive devices," prosecutors said in a statement on Monday.

Matthew Reilly, New Jersey U.S. Attorney's Office's spokesman, told Reuters there was nothing int he court documents that addressed Colon's motivation.

Some outlets reported that his actions were inspired by ISIS, but Reilly told Reuters there is no evidence of that.

Colon, a U.S. citizen, was charged as an adult on Monday with one count of attempting to provide material support to terrorists. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Colon's attorney did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.