NOTE: See the update in the comments section, below.
A former Iraqi official has denied this claim.
(Elias Turk/CNA) — Pope Francis has revealed that he narrowly escaped two attempts on his life during his visit to Iraq in March 2021 in the city of Mosul.
In a new book titled “Spera” (translated as “Hope”), set to be released on Jan. 14, 2025, the Holy Father recounts his personal story, including details of the planned attack during his trip.
According to Corriere della Sera, the Italian newspaper that shared excerpts from the book, the pontiff stated that most people had advised him against undertaking the apostolic visit to a land ravaged by jihadism and extremist violence. Those challenges were compounded by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the extremely high security risks.
Pope Francis Apostolic Journey to Iraq – Hall of the Presidential Palace in Baghdad – 5 March 2021. Image credit: قناة التغيير, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
