In excerpts from his autobiography, Pope Francis shares the chilling details of a foiled assassination plot against him during his March 2021 visit to Iraq, revealing the critical role British intelligence played in averting potential disaster.
Pope Francis Reveals Foiled Assassination Plot in Autobiography
Pope Francis Reveals Foiled Assassination Plot in Autobiography
UK intelligence prevented an assassination attempt during Pope Francis' historic visit to Iraq in 2021, as detailed in the Pope's upcoming autobiography.
The Pope's visit to Iraq, the first by a pontiff, was fraught with risks highlighted by the ever-present threat of extremism and escalating sectarian violence.
The article text:
In a shocking revelation, Pope Francis disclosed that a plot to assassinate him during his 2021 visit to Iraq was thwarted thanks to crucial intelligence from the UK. The Pope, in excerpts from his soon-to-be-published autobiography, described how British authorities alerted Iraqi police to a significant threat following his arrival in Baghdad in March of that year.
The pontiff recounted the grave situation faced just before a public event, where two suicide bombers were on their way to target him. "A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading towards Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit," the Pope detailed. He also noted that a van with an explosive payload was on an aggressive trajectory toward his location.
The security measures during this visit were unprecedented due to the ongoing climate of violence in Iraq, particularly against the Christian minority, which has been drastically reduced due to conflict and extremist actions, primarily from the Islamic State and other Sunni groups. The Pope acknowledged that many advised against the trip due to safety concerns; however, he felt a moral imperative to proceed.
Upon learning of the impending attack, the Iraqi police acted swiftly. In a conversation with a security official the day after the attempted attack, the Pope was informed about the fate of the would-be assailants: "They are no more," indicating the attackers had been intercepted and neutralized.
The autobiography, entitled "Hope," is slated for release on January 14, and it promises to shed light on many aspects of the Pope's experiences and his thoughts on global crises, including religious extremism. The Vatican has not yet responded to media inquiries regarding these revelations. Although the Pope’s visit was marred by threats and violence, it was still a critical moment for interfaith dialogue and a call for peace within Iraq's fractured society.
The article text:
In a shocking revelation, Pope Francis disclosed that a plot to assassinate him during his 2021 visit to Iraq was thwarted thanks to crucial intelligence from the UK. The Pope, in excerpts from his soon-to-be-published autobiography, described how British authorities alerted Iraqi police to a significant threat following his arrival in Baghdad in March of that year.
The pontiff recounted the grave situation faced just before a public event, where two suicide bombers were on their way to target him. "A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading towards Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit," the Pope detailed. He also noted that a van with an explosive payload was on an aggressive trajectory toward his location.
The security measures during this visit were unprecedented due to the ongoing climate of violence in Iraq, particularly against the Christian minority, which has been drastically reduced due to conflict and extremist actions, primarily from the Islamic State and other Sunni groups. The Pope acknowledged that many advised against the trip due to safety concerns; however, he felt a moral imperative to proceed.
Upon learning of the impending attack, the Iraqi police acted swiftly. In a conversation with a security official the day after the attempted attack, the Pope was informed about the fate of the would-be assailants: "They are no more," indicating the attackers had been intercepted and neutralized.
The autobiography, entitled "Hope," is slated for release on January 14, and it promises to shed light on many aspects of the Pope's experiences and his thoughts on global crises, including religious extremism. The Vatican has not yet responded to media inquiries regarding these revelations. Although the Pope’s visit was marred by threats and violence, it was still a critical moment for interfaith dialogue and a call for peace within Iraq's fractured society.
