Pope Francis revealed in excerpts from his forthcoming autobiography, Hope, that he narrowly escaped two assassination attempts during his groundbreaking visit to Iraq in March 2021. The shocking details, shared in excerpts published by the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, underscore the immense risks the pontiff took to make his historic trip.
According to the Pope, British secret services alerted his Vatican security detail about two imminent threats: a young female suicide bomber heading toward Mosul and a van speeding with similar intentions. Both threats were intercepted by Iraqi police, who neutralized the attackers before they could carry out their plans.
Francis, who turned 88 on Tuesday, acknowledged the significant danger surrounding the trip. “Almost everyone advised me against it,” he wrote, but added, “I felt I had to do it.” His visit marked a powerful statement of solidarity with Iraq’s Christian minority and other marginalized communities, as well as a call for peace and reconciliation in a region scarred by years of conflict.
The Pope’s three-day visit was conducted under extraordinary security measures. Despite the risks, he traveled to Baghdad and Mosul, a former stronghold of the Islamic State group, in what became a historic moment for interfaith dialogue and unity.
During his trips abroad, the Pope’s safety is managed by the Pontifical Swiss Guard and Vatican Gendarmerie, who work in close collaboration with local law enforcement. In Iraq, their coordinated efforts ensured the pontiff’s safety despite the grave threats.
Pope Francis’s unwavering determination to visit Iraq, even in the face of life-threatening risks, has been hailed as a testament to his commitment to fostering peace and understanding. His autobiography, Hope, which chronicles his personal reflections and experiences, will be released in over 80 countries in January.
