Pope Francis revealed in his upcoming autobiography that two attempted attacks on him were foiled during his historic visit to Iraq in 2021. The pontiff shared that British security services had warned him about a young woman with explosives heading to Mosul to carry out a suicide bombing during his visit. Additionally, a van was reported to have left with the same intention.
In his memoir titled 'Hope,' set to be released early next year, Francis recounted the harrowing experience. He mentioned that the Vatican Gendarmerie informed him the next day that the two bombers had been intercepted by Iraqi police and detonated. The pope reflected on this as a grim consequence of war.
Despite the security risks and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Pope Francis was resolute in his decision to visit Iraq, marking the first-ever trip by a pontiff to the country. He expressed his desire to show solidarity with the persecuted Christian community in Iraq and engage in dialogue with religious leaders.
During his visit, Pope Francis met with the Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani, a prominent figure in Shia Islam, in a historic encounter. The trip was significant not only for its religious implications but also for the message of peace and unity it conveyed in a region marred by conflict.
Francis' visit to Iraq underscored the importance of fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting tolerance in a diverse society. The attempted attacks serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by religious leaders in advocating for peace and understanding in turbulent times.
