American History Tellers
History Daily: The Attempted Assassination of Pope John Paul II
May 13, 2024
The podcast explores the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, with potential KGB ties. It delves into the assailant's erratic behavior, extremist connections, and unanswered questions. The episode also highlights the transformative meeting between the Pope and his assassin, focusing on forgiveness and reconciliation.
16:40
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Quick takeaways
- The mysterious assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II had possible ties to the KGB.
- Pope John Paul II's act of forgiveness towards his would-be assassin conveyed a message of mercy.
Deep dives
The Assassination Attempt on Pope John Paul II
On May 13, 1981, in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Mehmet Ali Ajah attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II. Ajah, a Turkish Muslim with ties to an ultra right-wing group, shot the Pope, causing chaos in the square. Despite non-fatal injuries to the Pope and others, Ajah's motives remained unclear, with initial confessions revolving around bringing freedom to countries like El Salvador and Afghanistan.
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