Pope Francis Reveals Attempted Suicide Bombing During 2021 Iraq Trip
VATICAN CITY: In a forthcoming autobiography, Pope Francis has revealed that he was the target of an attempted suicide bombing during his visit to Iraq in 2021. The incident was one of the most significant security threats faced by the pontiff during his 11-year papacy.
The Attempted Assassination
According to an excerpt published in Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Francis was informed by police upon landing in Baghdad in March 2021 that at least two known suicide bombers were targeting one of his planned events. The pope was told that a woman, packed with explosives, was heading to Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit, while a van had also set off at full speed with the same intent.
Mosul, a Key Moment in the Trip
Francis’s visit to Mosul was a key moment during his Iraq trip, where he visited the ruins of four destroyed churches and launched an appeal for peace. The city had been under the control of Islamic State from 2014 to 2017.
Security Preparations
The Vatican provided few details about the security preparations for the pope’s visit, but it is known that Iraq deployed thousands of additional security personnel to protect Francis. Many of the events during his visit, which took place as the Covid-19 pandemic was first easing, were open only to a limited number of people.
The Pope’s New Autobiography
Francis’s new autobiography, entitled "Hope", is due to be published on January 14. The pope also published a memoir in March. In the excerpt published today, Francis said the Vatican had been informed about the assassination attempt by British intelligence.
The Aftermath
The pope said he asked a security official the next day what had happened to the would-be bombers. "The commander replied laconically: ‘They are no more’," wrote Francis. "The Iraqi police had intercepted them and blown them up."
Conclusion
Pope Francis’s revelations about the attempted suicide bombing during his 2021 trip to Iraq highlight the significant risks he took in visiting the country. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and dangers of international diplomacy, particularly for high-profile figures like the Pope.
FAQs
- When was Pope Francis’s visit to Iraq?
- March 2021
- What was the nature of the security threat faced by the Pope?
- Attempted suicide bombing
- Who informed the Pope about the assassination attempt?
- British intelligence
- What was the outcome of the attempted assassination?
- The would-be bombers were intercepted and killed by Iraqi police