Pope John Paul II attacker removed from Turkish town
Turkish authorities have removed Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who tried to assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981, from the town of Iznik ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit. Local media reported that Agca had travelled to the northwestern town hoping to briefly meet the new pope during his historic trip. Agca, a Turkish national, shot and seriously wounded John Paul II in St Peter’s Square in May 1981 and later received a life sentence in Italy before being transferred to Ankara to complete his term. He was released in 2010 after spending about 29 years in prison. In statements from Iznik, Agca said he wanted to “welcome the pope” and expressed hope that they could sit down and talk for a few minutes in Iznik or Istanbul. However, broadcasters including Halk TV said police escorted him out of […]