On Wednesday, May 13, 1981, Mehmet Ali Agca attempted to assassinate the pope, St. John Paul II, by firing a handgun at close range. The pope was shot four times and suffered severe blood loss. In later days, the pope visited and forgave Agca, who was later pardoned by the Italian President Carlo Ciampi at the pope’s request.
The pope uttered the words “Mary. My Mother. Mary! My Mother!” upon being shot, and credits the Blessed Mother with preserving his life.
Photograph provided by Osservatore Romano via CPP
Learn more : Online Exclusive: What John Paul II Intended to Say the Day He Was Shot
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And today we celebrate...
