British Intelligence Foils Assassination Plot on Pope Francis in Iraq
Unveiled in His Autobiography, the Pope Details a Dramatic Intervention by UK Intelligence that Averted a Deadly Attack
The forthcoming autobiography of Pope Francis reveals a dramatic and secretive intervention by British intelligence that thwarted an assassination attempt during his historic 2021 visit to Iraq.
The revelation, published in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, outlines how an impending attack, involving two suicide bombers, was preemptively neutralized following a tip-off from the UK.
In March 2021, amidst the mournful backdrop of a pandemic-stricken world and a particularly fraught sectarian landscape in Iraq, Pope Francis embarked on a visit that was both historic and fraught with peril.
It was the first papal visit to Iraq, realized through an elaborate security operation designed to shield the pontiff amid rising tensions and a backdrop of violence that had long beset the region.
Iraq's frail Christian community had dwindled under threats from the Islamic State and other extremist factions, making the Pope's visit not just symbolic, but deeply resonant.
Pope Francis, in his autobiography titled "Hope," recounts being advised against this voyage by nearly all parties.
Nevertheless, driven by a determination to bring solace and solidarity to Iraq's beleaguered Christians, he forged ahead, guided by faith rather than fear.
Yet, barely after his plane had touched down in Baghdad, grim news awaited him.
A plot targeting one of his appearances in Mosul, where a woman laden with explosives and a van moving with murderous intent were reportedly en route to wreak havoc, had come to light, thanks to British intelligence efforts.
The disclosure prompted Iraqi police to act decisively, neutralizing the threat before it could manifest its deadly intent.
"Almost everyone advised me against going," the Pope writes.
"But I felt I had to do it," embodying his steadfast resolve in the face of potentially grave danger.
The subtle, yet impactful partnership between British intelligence and Iraqi law enforcement showcased an international paradigm of collaboration aimed at safeguarding global figures.
It underscores the enduring volatility in regions like Iraq, where the vestiges of sectarian conflict and the specter of extremism continue to loom large.
For Pope Francis, the incident represents a stark reminder of the risks inherent to his papal duties, especially those that call him to the world's most neglected and dangerous corners.
His recounting of the event ends with an almost grim assurance of the attackers' fate, conveyed to him simply as "They are no more."
With "Hope" set for publication on January 14, this revelation adds a new dimension to the pontiff's tenure, marked by audacious forays into geopolitical hotspots.
Meanwhile, the Vatican has yet to comment further on the matter, maintaining a measured silence as the narrative unfolds.
The revelation, published in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, outlines how an impending attack, involving two suicide bombers, was preemptively neutralized following a tip-off from the UK.
In March 2021, amidst the mournful backdrop of a pandemic-stricken world and a particularly fraught sectarian landscape in Iraq, Pope Francis embarked on a visit that was both historic and fraught with peril.
It was the first papal visit to Iraq, realized through an elaborate security operation designed to shield the pontiff amid rising tensions and a backdrop of violence that had long beset the region.
Iraq's frail Christian community had dwindled under threats from the Islamic State and other extremist factions, making the Pope's visit not just symbolic, but deeply resonant.
Pope Francis, in his autobiography titled "Hope," recounts being advised against this voyage by nearly all parties.
Nevertheless, driven by a determination to bring solace and solidarity to Iraq's beleaguered Christians, he forged ahead, guided by faith rather than fear.
Yet, barely after his plane had touched down in Baghdad, grim news awaited him.
A plot targeting one of his appearances in Mosul, where a woman laden with explosives and a van moving with murderous intent were reportedly en route to wreak havoc, had come to light, thanks to British intelligence efforts.
The disclosure prompted Iraqi police to act decisively, neutralizing the threat before it could manifest its deadly intent.
"Almost everyone advised me against going," the Pope writes.
"But I felt I had to do it," embodying his steadfast resolve in the face of potentially grave danger.
The subtle, yet impactful partnership between British intelligence and Iraqi law enforcement showcased an international paradigm of collaboration aimed at safeguarding global figures.
It underscores the enduring volatility in regions like Iraq, where the vestiges of sectarian conflict and the specter of extremism continue to loom large.
For Pope Francis, the incident represents a stark reminder of the risks inherent to his papal duties, especially those that call him to the world's most neglected and dangerous corners.
His recounting of the event ends with an almost grim assurance of the attackers' fate, conveyed to him simply as "They are no more."
With "Hope" set for publication on January 14, this revelation adds a new dimension to the pontiff's tenure, marked by audacious forays into geopolitical hotspots.
Meanwhile, the Vatican has yet to comment further on the matter, maintaining a measured silence as the narrative unfolds.