Pope Francis has revealed shocking details about a thwarted assassination plot during his landmark visit to Iraq, as documented in excerpts from his upcoming autobiography, "Hope." According to reports from the BBC and Reuters, British intelligence played a pivotal role in preventing the attack, which could have had catastrophic consequences for the Pontiff and many others.
The Pope’s visit occurred back in March 2021 and marked the first time any pope had visited Iraq, making it one of the riskiest trips of his 11-year pontificate. After arriving safely in Baghdad, he was informed of plans for at least two suicide bombers to attack during one of his public events. Reflecting on the gravity of the situation, Pope Francis recounted, “Almost everyone advised me not to make [the visit], but I had to do it.”
On the day of his arrival, intelligence officers alerted the Iraqi police to two specific threats: one involved a woman who was attempting to detonate explosives, and the other involved a truck loaded with explosives heading fast toward Mosul, where the Pope was scheduled to be. "A woman draped in explosives, a young kamikaze, went to Mosul to blow herself up during the Pope’s visit," the Pope noted, emphasizing the serious threat he faced.
The swift actions of the UK intelligence services, who had provided the key tip-off, allowed Iraqi police to intercept the bombers before they could reach their target. After the bombers were apprehended, Pope Francis asked security officials about their fate. The commander replied laconically, “They are no more,” indicating the police had successfully neutralized the threat. The Pope mentioned this again, highlighting the heavy toll of violence often brought by war: “That, too, was very shocking to me. This, too, was the poisoned fruit of war.”
The backdrop of the visit was particularly poignant, as Iraq had been grappling with years of sectarian violence, particularly between Sunni and Shia Muslims. The Christian community, the Pope's intended congregants, had seen dramatic decline due to targeted violence from extremist groups, including the Islamic State. Despite the threats, the Pope’s resolve to proceed with the trip stemmed from his commitment to bringing hope and healing to the region.
The Vatican took strict measures to prepare for the visit, deploying thousands of security personnel to protect Pope Francis amid the overarching concerns of the Covid-19 pandemic. Events were limited to strict attendance to mitigate risks, yet the visit went forward as planned, allowing the Pope to deliver powerful messages of peace.
During his time in Iraq, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. For example, standing at the ruins of churches destroyed by conflict, he urged the local Christian population to forgive the injustices they have faced and encouraged them to rebuild their lives. This visit was not merely ceremonial; it was imbued with messages of hope and faith, aimed at dispelling the narrative of despair.
Even with the assumption of risks, the Pope’s determination to engage with the people of Iraq speaks to his larger vision of interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding. He underscored Iraq’s historical role as a crossroads of civilizations, remarking, "Iraq has suffered the disastrous effects of wars, the scourge of terrorism and sectarian conflicts often grounded in fundamentalism incapable of accepting the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups."
The revelations of the thwarted assassination plot have since sparked widespread media coverage, including excerpts published by the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, which reported extensively on the Pope's autobiography. Set to be released on January 14, 2025, this memoir promises to reveal more about the challenges and experiences faced during his papacy, particularly the trials of engaging with regions suffering from protracted conflict.
The poignant reflections contained within "Hope" are not just chronicles of peril; they are filled with the teachings of resilience, compassion, and unyielding faith during turbulent times. Amid such violence, the Pope strives to reinforce the call for peace and human dignity worldwide, nurturing hope even where much seems lost.
For now, the Vatican has not commented on the new revelations disclosed by the Pope. Nevertheless, this burgeoning narrative surrounding the thwarted plot against one of the world's most influential religious leaders adds another layer of urgency to the discussions about security, faith, and resilience amid the tumultuous backdrop of global conflict.
