Pope John Paul II Shot and Wounded 40 Years Ago
Assassination Attempt in St. Peter's Square Leaves Pontiff Injured
Mehmet Ali Ağca, a 23-year-old Turkish gunman, fired four shots at Pope John Paul II on 13 May 1981, while he was entering St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. One of the bullets struck the pontiff in the abdomen, narrowly missing vital organs.
The assassination attempt shocked the world and raised concerns about the safety of the Pope. Ağca was apprehended shortly after the shooting and later sentenced to life in prison. Pope John Paul II recovered from his injuries and continued to serve as the head of the Catholic Church until his death in 2005.
The Fiat Popemobile in which Pope John Paul II was riding during the assassination attempt is now on display at the Carriage Museum of the Vatican.
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