In a startling revelation, Pope Francis has disclosed that he was the target of an attempted suicide bombing during his historic visit to Iraq in 2021. The visit marked the first time a Catholic pontiff had traveled to the country and was considered one of the most perilous trips of his papacy.
The pontiff shared the account in an excerpt from his upcoming autobiography, Hope, set for release on January 14. According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Pope Francis recounted being informed by police upon his arrival in Baghdad that two suicide bombers were planning to target events during his visit.
“A woman packed with explosives, a young kamikaze, was heading to Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit,” the pope wrote. “And a van had also set off at full speed with the same intent.”
Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, held significant importance during the pope’s trip. The city, which endured years of devastation under Islamic State control from 2014 to 2017, served as the backdrop for a poignant moment in the pope’s mission for peace. During his visit, Pope Francis stood among the ruins of four destroyed churches and called for unity and reconciliation.
While the Vatican had shared limited details about the security measures in place at the time, thousands of additional Iraqi security personnel were deployed to ensure the pontiff’s safety. Events during the visit were also scaled down, with attendance restricted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Pope Francis credited British intelligence for alerting the Vatican to the assassination plot. Reflecting on the aftermath, he recalled asking a security commander what had happened to the would-be attackers. The response, he wrote, was brief but telling: “They are no more.” Iraqi police reportedly intercepted and neutralized the threat.
The pope’s memoir provides a rare glimpse into the dangers faced during his papacy, especially during missions aimed at fostering peace in conflict-torn regions. His trip to Iraq remains a profound symbol of courage and hope, reminding Christians worldwide of the importance of faith in the face of adversity.
The Vatican has yet to comment on the pope’s new revelations, but his upcoming book is expected to shed more light on his experiences and reflections as the leader of the Catholic Church.
