Like numerous leaders, the figure of the Pope has also been subject to attacks and attacks. Despite the huge security contingent that accompanies them, sometimes the aggressors find recesses to act. For hate, for mental disorder or even motivated by political ideologies, around A fortnight of potatoes They have suffered some kind of altercation throughout history. These are the attacks that marked the papacy of the last three pontiffs.
The two attacks on John Paul II
A few years after assuming the position, Pope John Paul II He suffered an attack that almost ends his life. As usual, the Plaza de San Pedro, in the city of the Vatican, was crowded. The faithful cried out the arrival of their holiness in their characteristic Papamóvil. It was on May 13, 1981. Among those attending the act was hidden Mehmet Ali Ağcaand Turk of just 23 years He did not hesitate to tighten the trigger, before the stupor of the crowd, and fired frantically.
Four bullets hit the Pope’s body. Two in the abdomen, one in the arm and one in the hand. It was operated urgently, for more than five hours. After a long recovery, he survived. The attacker was a Turkish extremist, allegedly linked to the ultra -nationalist group Gray wolves. The young man confirmed not to acted alone, but the true reasons for his action still cause theories, some of the most alternatives, say a relationship with Bulgarian secret services or with the KGB. But the iconic moment of this event would happen years later. In 1983, John Paul II visited Ağca in prison and, by virtue of his Christian faith, He forgave him.
Chance wanted that Only one year after the altercationon May 12, but from 1982, Pope John Paul II dodged death again. The pontiff was in Fatima, Portugal. Among the visitors rose Juan Fernández Krohna priest Spanish fundamentalist “Posteriorly excommunicated,” he tried to stab, although without getting it. According to him, the Pope was a secret agent linked to Soviet communism that sought the corruption of the Vatican.
The Incident of Benedict XVI
It was the night of December 24, 2009, the Mass of the Gallo was celebrated in the Basilica of San Pedro del Vaticano. As is tradition, Pope Benedict XVI, 82, was on his way to the main altar to celebrate the most solemn ceremony of the year. Then, A young woman dressed in red —Ive late identified as Susanna Maioloa Switzerland with known psychiatric problems-jumped the security barrier.
Suddenly, He pounced on the PopeHe grabbed him by clothes and made him fall to the ground. The fall was spectacular, in the middle of the central hall, before dozens of eyes and cameras. Benedict XVI was on the floor, but quickly got up with help. He It was not injuredbut a cardinal, Roger Etchegaray, 87, who went with the Pope in the procession, did suffer a hip fracture when he fell.
The aggressor was immediately reduced and detained by the Vatican Security Service. He didn’t carry weapons. His intention would not have been to kill him, but physically approach the pontiff. She apologized. And he, of course, He forgave her.
Attempts to attack Pope Francis
The religious community did not recommend the trip, but the commitment of the papa Francisco It was greater than fear, and undertook its path to Iraq, in 2021. As soon as you land, as counted in its recently published autobiography Esperanzait would be informed of the Two frustrated attempts.
The British Intelligence Service He would have managed to stop an attack against him, orchestrated by A womana terrorist ready to immolate himself before him. In parallel, A van He went at full speed towards Mosul, also to attack him. But it was not the first time that attacks against his person were frustrated. Pope Francis faced direct threats from the Islamic State (ISIS). In 2024, Indonesia authorities managed to dismantle a Plan terrorist that he intended to attack him on his trip to Yakarta.
From the Martyrdom of San Pedro From the first century DC before Emperor Nero, a moment that Caravaggio captured, with his usual fervor, in an iconic picture, numerous papals suffered attempts to impair. The maximum representation of the Catholic church It becomes a risk of risk by the symbolism of your figure. Many frustrated attacks, others will be forever unknown, what remains of them is mercy and forgiveness that they all professed, how could it be otherwise, by virtue of their mandate. Forgiveness expires to punishment, and wins the enemy.
