Pope Reveals Failed Plot to Assassinate Him

In an explosive revelation, Pope Francis has disclosed that a 2021 assassination plot against him during his historic trip to Iraq was thwarted through the combined efforts of British intelligence and Iraqi security forces.

The shocking details come from his upcoming autobiography, Spera (Hope), co-written with Italian author Carlo Musso, with excerpts shared by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on his 88th birthday.

The pontiff recounts a harrowing plan involving two suicide bombers: a young woman equipped with explosives and a vehicle speeding toward his location in Mosul. Speaking of the threat, he wrote: “A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading toward Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit. And a van had also set off at great speed with the same intention.”

British intelligence tipped off Iraqi authorities, who swiftly acted to neutralize the attackers. Reflecting on the intervention, Francis recalls asking an official about the fate of the bombers: “They are no more,” came the terse reply. He added, “The Iraqi police had intercepted them and blown them up.”

The papal visit to Iraq from March 5 to 8, 2021, was a groundbreaking journey for a nation ravaged by decades of war and sectarian strife. It marked the first-ever visit by a pope to Iraq, a symbol of hope and unity for both Christians and Muslims.

The itinerary included stops in Baghdad, Najaf, Qaraqosh, Erbil, and Mosul—a city scarred by years under Islamic State (ISIS) control from 2014 to 2017.

One of the most poignant moments of the trip was the pope’s meeting with Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, a gesture promoting interfaith harmony. In Mosul, Francis honored the resilience of local communities who rebuilt churches and mosques devastated by ISIS.

“I think of the young Muslim volunteers of Mosul, who helped to repair churches and monasteries, building fraternal friendships on the rubble of hatred,” he reflected.

Had the assassination attempt succeeded, the repercussions would have been global. The loss of the Catholic Church’s leader, representing 1.3 billion faithful, could have sparked increased religious tensions, destabilized Iraq’s fragile security, and necessitated the immediate election of a new pope. The plot’s failure highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism.

This isn’t the first time a pontiff has faced a deadly threat. In 1981, Pope John Paul II survived an assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square when Mehmet Ali Ağca shot him at close range. Remarkably, John Paul later forgave his assailant, visiting him in prison.

The revelation has sparked global attention and praise for the intelligence agencies involved. Sancta Familia Media, a Scottish Catholic group, shared a powerful image of Francis in Iraq, captioning: “The iconic photo of Pope Francis in Iraq in 2021. The church was destroyed previously by ISIS, who we learn today were behind multiple attempts to assassinate the Holy Father on the trip there. God bless the Pope!”

Phil Gurski, a Canadian terrorism expert, tweeted: “Pope says he was almost assassinated in 2021 but British intelligence foiled plot—thanks UK!!”

Despite ISIS’ diminished presence, Iraq continues to grapple with sporadic terrorist activity. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church remains embroiled in debates over its stance on divisive social issues, including LGBTQ+ inclusion and divorce.

The pope’s memoir, set for release in January, is expected to delve deeper into his experiences and reflections on leading the Church through turbulent times.

Pope Francis’ journey to Iraq stands as a testament to faith’s power to unite even in the face of danger, underscoring the resilience of communities striving for peace in a fractured world.