Pope Francis narrowly escaped two assassination attempts during his historic visit to Iraq in March 2021, as revealed in excerpts from his upcoming autobiography, Hope, published on Tuesday by Italian media.
According to the pontiff, his security team was alerted to the threats by British intelligence services.
In his book, the Pope describes how a woman carrying explosives and a young suicide bomber were heading towards Mosul with the intent to detonate themselves during his visit.
Additionally, a van filled with explosives was reportedly speeding toward the same target. Both attackers were intercepted and killed by Iraqi police forces before they could carry out their plans.
Pope Francis, now 88, reflected on the risks of the trip, noting that many people had advised him against it.
However, he was determined to go ahead, feeling it was necessary to visit Iraq and “get to the bottom of things.”
The three-day visit, which took place amid heightened security and the Covid-19 pandemic, was the Pope’s first international trip in over a year.
Despite the dangers, he traveled extensively across Iraq, including to Baghdad and Mosul, once a stronghold of the Islamic State group.
During his travels, the Pope’s security was managed by the Pontifical Swiss Guard, the Vatican Gendarmerie, and local Iraqi authorities.
