Pope Francis has disclosed details of an assassination plot against him during his historic visit to Iraq in March 2021.
The plot, which involved two suicide bombers, was thwarted thanks to a crucial tip-off from British intelligence, as detailed in the pontiff's forthcoming autobiography, "Spera" (Hope).
The Pope's visit to Iraq, which took place from March 5 to 8, 2021, marked the first time a Catholic pontiff had visited the country. It was a moment for Iraq, a nation that had endured nearly two decades of internal violence and religious extremism. During this trip, Pope Francis visited several cities, including Baghdad, Najaf, Qaraqosh, Erbil, and Mosul, the latter being a former stronghold of the Islamic State militant group.
According to excerpts from his autobiography, published in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Pope Francis recounted how he was informed of the assassination attempt upon landing in Baghdad. "A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading toward Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit," he wrote. Additionally, a van had set off at high speed with the same deadly intent.
British intelligence alerted the Vatican Gendarmerie, who then coordinated with Iraqi police to intercept the would-be attackers.
The Pope later inquired about the fate of the bombers, to which a security official replied laconically, "They are no more."
The Iraqi police had successfully intercepted and neutralized the threat. The foiled plot underscores the risks associated with the Pope's visit, which took place as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to ease. Despite the dangers, Pope Francis felt compelled to visit Iraq, stating, "I felt the need to visit our grandfather Abraham, the common ancestor of Jews, Christians, and Muslims."
The Pope's memoir, co-written with Italian author Carlo Musso, is set to be published in January 2025 across 80 countries. It provides a detailed account of the assassination attempt and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Iraq, which continues to experience sporadic ISIS-directed or inspired terrorist attacks.
Pope Francis' visit to Iraq was not only a testament to interfaith cooperation but also a call for peace and reconciliation in a region scarred by conflict. His presence in Mosul, where he visited the ruins of four destroyed churches, served as a poignant reminder of the resilience and hope that can emerge from the ashes of hatred.
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