Remembering the failed assassination attempt on Pope St John Paul II

If you have been following the news lately, you would know by now that the entire world is talking about the failed assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. For Catholics around the world, this brought back memories of the failed assassination attempt on Pope St John Paul II back in 1981.

There are a couple of similarities between the two events to be sure. In both cases, the bullet did not hit any of the vital organs. And secondly, the motive behind both these shootings is likely to remain a mystery forever. In Trump’s case, the shooter has taken the secret with him to his grave. As for Mr Mehmet Ali Agca, the assailant who fired four bullets at the Pope and managed to hit two of them, nobody has managed to obtain a clear answer from him about his motives or who he was working for.

However, the similarities end there. While Trump was merely grazed by the bullet, the flesh wound inflicted on the Pope was much more serious. Though it did not hit any of his vital organs, he was bleeding so profusely that had they failed to reach the hospital in time, he would have died from mere loss of blood.

There was much talk among Catholics at that time about the fact that the failed assassination attempt happened on the anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary at Fatima, Portugal. The Pope himself would later say that he felt a gentle motherly hand guiding the bullets thus ensuring his survival.

Where is Mr Agca now?

Agca was apprehended, tried and put in prison by the Italian Authorities. Mr Agca had many other cases pending against him including one for murder. He would spend many years behind bars. In fact, once fully recovered from his injuries, the Pope visited Agca in jail. They spoke for many hours and the Pope let Agca know that he had already forgiven him. Over the years, Agca expressed remorse for his actions and stayed in touch with the Pope through letters. He even converted to Catholicism in 2007.  

Agca was later deported to Turkey where he spent a decade or so in jail before he became eligible for release. After he was released from prison, Agca visited the tomb of Pope St John Paul II and paid his respects. At one time, he even expressed his desire to become a Catholic priest. However, this is not likely to happen. Over the years, Agca has changed his version of the events so many times that we still do not know who was actually behind the assassination attempt. Hopefully, one day the truth will eventually come out.