During Pope Francis’ historic trip to Iraq in 2021, the pontiff’s security was jeopardized by two attempted attacks, revealed in his autobiography “Hope.” In a gripping account, the pope mentions that he had been informed by British security services of the imminent presence of a young woman carrying explosives heading toward Mosul to blow herself up during his visit. Another alert reported that a van had sped away from the scene, sharing the same macabre intent.
The revelation of these two attempted attacks highlights the dangers the pope and his aides faced during this historic trip. Despite the heightened risks posed by security threats and the Covid-19 pandemic, Pope Francis stood firm in his decision to travel to Iraq, a country rich in biblical history and home to one of the world’s oldest Christian communities.
During his visit, the Pontiff expressed his solidarity with persecuted Christians in Iraq and held a historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani, one of the greatest authorities of Shiite Islam. These moments of inter-religious rapprochement and support for oppressed minorities marked the Pope’s visit as a symbol of hope in a context of conflict and division.
The revelations made by the Pope in his autobiography illustrate the tragic dimension of armed conflicts and terrorist threats that continue to weigh on vulnerable communities and peace figures like Pope Francis. Despite these trials, his determination to promote reconciliation and fraternity among peoples remains unwavering, offering an example of courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
This story also raises critical questions about the safety of public figures and the persistence of the violence they face, while highlighting the importance of interfaith dialogue and international cooperation to prevent such terrorist acts in the future.
Ultimately, Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq will be remembered as a testament to faith, hope and courage, despite the obstacles and threats that have marked his path.