UK Intelligence Thwarts Assassination Attempt on Pope Francis During Historic Iraq Visit
New revelations emerge as the Pope's autobiography reveals a foiled plot in a tumultuous region.
A foiled assassination attempt on Pope Francis during his historic visit to Iraq in March 2021 has come to light, thanks to new details revealed in his upcoming autobiography, 'Hope'.
According to excerpts published by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the plot was discovered following a crucial tip-off from British intelligence.
The visit, which marked the first time a pope had set foot in Iraq, unfolded against the backdrop of pronounced security concerns and significant sectarian unrest.
The fierceness of religious and ethnic conflicts, particularly between Shia and Sunni Muslims, alongside the threat posed by extremist groups such as the Islamic State (IS), had placed Iraq's minority communities, including Christians, in a precarious position.
Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Iraq's Christian population has dwindled, victimized by rising violence and instability.
In the autobiography, Pope Francis recounts that upon his arrival in Baghdad, he was informed of an alleged plot targeting an event arranged for his visit.
Two suicide bombers were reportedly preparing to execute an attack.
The intervention by British intelligence, who alerted the Iraqi authorities, proved timely.
According to the Pope's account, a woman laden with explosives and a young suicide attacker, both suspected of heading towards the event's location in Mosul, were intercepted and neutralized by Iraqi police.
Pope Francis reflects on the turbulent decisions surrounding the trip, noting, 'Almost everyone advised me against' visiting Iraq.
However, his conviction led him to move forward, emphasizing the importance of the trip for fostering dialogue and peace across diverse religious communities in Iraq.
The assassination plot's discovery portrays the geopolitical intricacies of overseas papal visits, accentuated by security cooperation across borders.
The Vatican has not yet commented on these revelations, as reported by Reuters.
Pope Francis's journey to Iraq was hailed as a symbolic gesture towards peace and reconciliation and received international attention for its courage and aspirations in a beleaguered region.
While addressing war-torn communities in cities like Mosul and historic sites like Ur, the Pope underlined themes of co-existence and resilience amidst longstanding conflicts.
'Hope' is scheduled for release on January 14, offering further insights into the papacy's challenges and pivotal moments, many of which continue to resonate on a global stage.
According to excerpts published by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the plot was discovered following a crucial tip-off from British intelligence.
The visit, which marked the first time a pope had set foot in Iraq, unfolded against the backdrop of pronounced security concerns and significant sectarian unrest.
The fierceness of religious and ethnic conflicts, particularly between Shia and Sunni Muslims, alongside the threat posed by extremist groups such as the Islamic State (IS), had placed Iraq's minority communities, including Christians, in a precarious position.
Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Iraq's Christian population has dwindled, victimized by rising violence and instability.
In the autobiography, Pope Francis recounts that upon his arrival in Baghdad, he was informed of an alleged plot targeting an event arranged for his visit.
Two suicide bombers were reportedly preparing to execute an attack.
The intervention by British intelligence, who alerted the Iraqi authorities, proved timely.
According to the Pope's account, a woman laden with explosives and a young suicide attacker, both suspected of heading towards the event's location in Mosul, were intercepted and neutralized by Iraqi police.
Pope Francis reflects on the turbulent decisions surrounding the trip, noting, 'Almost everyone advised me against' visiting Iraq.
However, his conviction led him to move forward, emphasizing the importance of the trip for fostering dialogue and peace across diverse religious communities in Iraq.
The assassination plot's discovery portrays the geopolitical intricacies of overseas papal visits, accentuated by security cooperation across borders.
The Vatican has not yet commented on these revelations, as reported by Reuters.
Pope Francis's journey to Iraq was hailed as a symbolic gesture towards peace and reconciliation and received international attention for its courage and aspirations in a beleaguered region.
While addressing war-torn communities in cities like Mosul and historic sites like Ur, the Pope underlined themes of co-existence and resilience amidst longstanding conflicts.
'Hope' is scheduled for release on January 14, offering further insights into the papacy's challenges and pivotal moments, many of which continue to resonate on a global stage.