Pope escaped two assassination attempts in Iraq.
Pope Francis narrowly escaped two assassination attempts during his historic visit to Iraq in March 2021, as revealed in excerpts from his upcoming autobiography, Hope, published on Tuesday by Italian media outlets.
The pontiff disclosed that his Vatican security team received an urgent warning from British intelligence services ahead of the trip.
“A woman strapped with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was on her way to Mosul to carry out an attack during my visit,” Pope Francis wrote. He further revealed, “A van had also been dispatched at high speed with the same deadly intention. NNPCL Secures $1bn Loan to Support Dangote Refinery, Facilitates $3bn Gazelle Loan. The excerpts, shared by Corriere della Sera, highlight the grave threats faced during what was the first-ever papal visit to Iraq.
Iraqi Authorities Intervene According to the Pope, Iraqi police intercepted and neutralized the two would-be attackers before they could strike.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, acknowledged that nearly everyone advised him against embarking on the trip due to the extreme dangers involved. “But I wanted to get to the bottom of things. I felt I had to do it,” he wrote.
The Pope’s historic three-day visit in March 2021 came amid heightened security concerns and the global Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the risks, Francis traveled extensively across Iraq, visiting Baghdad, Mosul, and other regions, including areas once controlled by the Islamic State group.
Security for the trip was a coordinated effort involving the Pontifical Swiss Guard, the Vatican Gendarmerie, and Iraqi security forces.
A Bold Step for Peace Pope Francis’s visit marked a significant milestone as he sought to promote peace and interfaith dialogue in a region plagued by conflict and religious extremism.
His determination to proceed, despite repeated warnings, underscored his commitment to reaching out to war-torn communities.
The book Hope, which will be released in over 80 countries in January, offers deeper insight into the Pope’s reflections on faith, leadership, and the challenges he has faced during his papacy.
