A plot to assassinate Pope Francis during his historic visit to Iraq in March 2021 was foiled following a tip-off from British intelligence, according to revelations in his upcoming autobiography.
The Pope recounts that upon landing in Baghdad, he was informed of a plan targeting an event he was set to attend, involving two suicide bombers. Both attackers were intercepted and neutralized, he writes in excerpts published by Corriere della Sera, an Italian newspaper.
The visit, which lasted three days during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, marked the first papal trip to Iraq and was conducted under intense security.
In the years leading up to the visit, Iraq had suffered from escalating sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims, as well as the persecution of religious minorities. The Christian community, in particular, had been decimated, with many targeted by the Islamic State group and other Sunni extremists.
Despite warnings from nearly everyone, the Pope writes that he felt compelled to make the trip. He credits British intelligence for uncovering the plot and alerting Iraqi authorities, who then informed his security team after his arrival.
“A woman strapped with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading to Mosul to detonate during the papal visit,” the Pope recalls in the book. “Additionally, a van was speeding toward the event with the same intent.”
When he inquired about the fate of the would-be attackers, a security official responded bluntly: “They are no more.” The Pope reveals that the Iraqi police had intercepted and eliminated the threats.
The autobiography, titled Hope, is set to be released on January 14. The Vatican has not commented on the claims, according to Reuters.
