Pope Francis revealed in his upcoming autobiography that a potential assassination plot against him during his historic 2021 visit to Iraq was thwarted by British intelligence. The pontiff was informed upon arriving in Baghdad that an event he was scheduled to attend was targeted by two suicide bombers. British intelligence had uncovered the plot and alerted Iraqi law enforcement, who subsequently informed the Vatican's security team. The Pope learned that one of the attackers was a woman laden with explosives, planning to detonate herself in Mosul, while a van with similar intentions was also en route.

The trip to Iraq was unprecedented, marking the first time a pope had visited the war-torn country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite widespread advice against traveling, Pope Francis felt compelled to make the journey, highlighting the significant risks involved. The region had been experiencing intense sectarian conflict, with clashes between Shia and Sunni Muslims and severe oppression of religious minorities. The Christian population in Iraq had dramatically decreased due to attacks by the Islamic State and other extremist groups. The Pope's visit was a bold statement of solidarity with the suffering Christian community in the region.

The day following the potential attack, Pope Francis inquired about the fate of the would-be assassins. A security officer tersely responded, "They are no more," indicating that Iraqi police had intercepted and neutralized the threat. The Pope recounted this moment in his upcoming autobiography, titled "Hope," which is set to be released on January 14. He described the incident as a "toxic consequence of war," reflecting on the violence that had plagued the region. The plot's discovery and prevention highlighted the complex security challenges faced during international diplomatic missions in conflict-prone areas.

During his visit, Pope Francis stood amidst the ruins of churches in northern Iraq, symbolically representing resilience and hope for the Christian community. He met with Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani, a prominent Shia Muslim leader, and called for forgiveness and peace. The Pope's journey was not just a diplomatic mission but a powerful statement against religious persecution and sectarian violence. Mosul, once a stronghold of Islamic State fighters, became a powerful backdrop for his message of reconciliation. The thwarted assassination attempt added an additional layer of drama to an already significant diplomatic and spiritual journey, underscoring the Pope's commitment to reaching out to communities in the most challenging circumstances.