Pope Francis has disclosed shocking details about two assassination attempts during his groundbreaking 2021 visit to Iraq, according to excerpts from his upcoming autobiography “Hope,” set for global release in January. The revelations shed new light on the extraordinary security challenges faced during what was already considered a highly risky papal journey.
In the autobiography, Francis describes how British intelligence services urgently alerted Vatican security about imminent threats to his life. The first involved a female suicide bomber carrying explosives who was heading toward Mosul with the intention of attacking during the papal visit. Simultaneously, a van was reportedly racing toward the same location with similar deadly intentions. Both potential attackers were intercepted and killed by Iraqi police forces before they could reach their targets.
The pontiff’s disclosure of these dramatic events comes as he marks his 88th birthday, offering a remarkable glimpse into the dangers he faced during the historic three-day visit. Despite receiving strong advice against undertaking the journey, particularly given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Francis remained resolute in his decision. “Almost everyone advised me against it,” he writes, “but I wanted to get to the bottom of things. I felt I had to do it.”
The March 2021 visit marked Francis’s first international journey in 15 months, taking place during a period of global uncertainty due to the pandemic. The trip required unprecedented security measures, with the Pontifical Swiss Guard and Vatican Gendarmerie working in close coordination with local law enforcement to ensure the Pope’s safety throughout his movements across the country.
Francis’s determination to visit Iraq, despite the obvious risks, demonstrated his commitment to interfaith dialogue and peace-building in a region that had been devastated by conflict. The papal tour included stops in Baghdad and Mosul, the latter being particularly significant as a former stronghold of the Islamic State group. This visit to Mosul carried special symbolism, representing hope and reconciliation in a city that had witnessed some of the worst atrocities committed by ISIS.
The security operation surrounding the papal visit was one of the most complex ever undertaken for a visiting dignitary in Iraq. The collaboration between Vatican security services and local authorities proved crucial in thwarting the attempted attacks. The successful prevention of these assassination attempts highlights the effectiveness of international intelligence sharing and security cooperation in protecting high-profile religious leaders.
The Pope’s decision to include these revelations in his autobiography underscores the significant risks religious leaders sometimes take in pursuing their mission of peace and reconciliation. It also provides insight into the sophisticated security apparatus that operates behind the scenes during papal visits to volatile regions.
The timing of these revelations is particularly poignant as they coincide with ongoing global discussions about religious tolerance and the role of spiritual leaders in conflict zones. Francis’s willingness to risk his personal safety to visit Iraq serves as a powerful testament to his commitment to building bridges between different faiths and communities.
These newly revealed details about the assassination attempts add another layer of historical significance to what was already a landmark visit. As the first pope to visit Iraq, Francis’s journey represented a crucial moment in Catholic-Muslim relations and demonstrated the Vatican’s commitment to supporting Christian communities in the Middle East who have faced persecution and displacement.
The forthcoming autobiography “Hope,” which will be published in more than 80 countries, promises to offer more insights into Francis’s papacy and his vision for the Catholic Church’s role in addressing global challenges. These revelations about the Iraq visit serve as a reminder of the continuing dangers faced by religious leaders who work to promote peace and understanding in conflict-torn regions.
