(ZENIT News / Rome, 12.17.2024).- In an excerpt from his upcoming autobiography Spera, set for release on January 14, 2025, Pope Francis shares a harrowing behind-the-scenes account of his groundbreaking visit to Iraq in March 2021. The trip, hailed as a milestone for interfaith dialogue, was shadowed by the revelation of two thwarted assassination attempts.
A Mission Against All Odds
Defying widespread caution from advisors, the Pope embarked on what many deemed a perilous journey. “Everyone advised against it,” he writes, “but I felt a deep, unshakable need to go. I wanted to visit our grandfather Abraham, the shared ancestor of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.”
The pontiff’s determination to bring a message of peace and hope to a war-torn nation was met with significant obstacles. The visit came amidst the lingering devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing security threats from extremist groups.
The Threats Unfold
Francis recounts the chilling intelligence received by the Vatican Gendarmerie upon his arrival in Baghdad. British intelligence had flagged two potential attacks: a young woman carrying explosives was reportedly heading to Mosul as a suicide bomber, while a van laden with explosives sped toward an undisclosed target.
“Even in the midst of such destruction,” he reflects, “the winds of hatred refused to cease.” Despite these threats, the Pope remained steadfast in his mission, delivering messages of reconciliation and hope to Iraq’s beleaguered communities.
The Interfaith Milestone
One of the most poignant moments of the trip was Francis’ historic meeting with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf. The encounter, years in the making, symbolized a new chapter in Christian-Muslim relations and highlighted the Pope’s vision for interfaith solidarity.
The meeting underscored the central theme of his trip: the unifying power of faith. In his autobiography, Francis emphasizes the profound significance of standing on the land of Abraham, a figure revered across religious divides.
A Sobering End
As the journey progressed, the Pope remained acutely aware of the looming danger. Upon inquiring about the attackers the following day, the Vatican security chief delivered a brief yet heavy response: “They are no longer.” Iraqi police had intercepted the suspects, neutralizing the threats in deadly confrontations.
“Even this,” Francis writes somberly, “was a poisoned fruit of war—a stark reminder of the cycles of violence that continue to plague humanity.”
A Testament to Faith and Resilience
The Pope’s reflections on the Iraq visit capture both the hope and the heartbreak of his mission. While the trip marked significant progress in interfaith dialogue, it also laid bare the ongoing struggles faced by those in conflict zones.
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