'Case disrupted' ahead of Pope Francis visit

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee expressed concerns Sunday regarding the pope's not-to-distant visit to the city.

During an interview with Martha Raddatz on ABC's "This Week", Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) revealed the Secret Service informed him of a "disrupted" threat.

"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 being very vigilant to protect him as he comes into the United States," said McCaul.

The details of the "disrupted" threat have not been released to the public.

Police and city officials are referring questions to the Secret Service, which has yet to comment.

In the meantime, the secure perimeter that will enclose the Parkway, in an effort to keep Pope Francis and the people in the city safe, is set to go up.

Security for the papal visit has come under scrutiny during the past couple of months.

According to city officials and the World Meeting of Families, security for the visit falls under the Secret Service.

Critics have said the Secret Service is going beyond the scope needed with large portions of the city and the Ben Franklin Bridge being shut down to traffic.

However, the level of caution and security may be due in part to a prior threat, and classified information that has not been shared for this historical event.

Congressman Bob Brady spoke to Action News Sunday, and he said he doesn't know what McCaul is talking about.

"If it's supposed to be a classified thing, I don't know why he saying something on national TV, but we don't know nothing about it," said Brady.

One thing Brady and McCaul do seem to agree on is the Secret Service has its hands full with Pope Francis.

"The Pope is a very... passionate man. He likes to get out with the people, and with that comes a large security risk," said McCaul.

"He's a handful. He's going to jump out of the car and jump into the crowd. He wants to be with the people," said Brady.

Action News has been told the threat was "very aspirational, but far from an active plot."