Pope Francis has said he escaped a double suicide bombing during a visit to Iraq three years ago after the attempts on his life were foiled by British intelligence and Iraqi police.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
Francis made the revelation in his upcoming autobiography, Spera (Hope), excerpts of which were shared with Corriere della Sera on Tuesday, the pontiff’s 88th birthday.
Francis said he had been strongly advised against making the trip to Iraq in March 2021, the first by a pope, because Covid was still raging and the security risks were high, especially in Mosul, the northern city devastated by Islamic State militants.
The pope said he was determined to go ahead with the trip, however.
In his recounting of events, British intelligence informed Iraqi police of the planned bombings as soon as Francis arrived in Baghdad. In turn, the Iraqi police informed the Vatican’s security detail.
The pontiff described how one of the suicide bombers was a woman who was heading towards Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit. A truck was also “heading there fast with the same intention”, he said.
In the book, written with the Italian author Carlo Musso and due to be published in January, Francis said he later asked Vatican security what had become of the suicide bombers. “The commander replied laconically: ‘They’re no longer here,’” Francis wrote. “Iraqi police had intercepted them and made them explode. This struck me as well: Even this is the poisonous fruit of war.”
Francis persevered with the three-day trip to six Iraqi cities, saying at the time that he was travelling as “a pilgrim of peace”. Thousands of Christians in the north of the country were killed under the rule of Islamic State between 2014 and 2017, and hundreds of thousands more fled their homes in the face of violence and persecution.
Standing in the wreckage of a Mosul church, the pope urged the country’s dwindling Christian community to forgive the injustices against them by the extremists and to rebuild.
During the visit, about 10,000 Iraqi police were deployed to protect the pope and curfews were imposed to limit the spread of Covid-19.
The book was originally planned to come out after Francis’s death, but is instead being published to coincide with the beginning of the jubilee 2025, a year of celebrations for Catholics around the world to reconnect with their faith. The pope officially opens the event, which occurs every 25 years, on 24 December.
The Italian publisher Mondadori said Hope was the first autobiography published by a pope, although Francis has published other memoir-style books.
Francis has embarked on more than 40 overseas trips since becoming pope in 2013, his longest and most arduous being a 12-day Asia-Pacific tour in September.
On Monday, he travelled to Corsica, the first visit by a pontiff to the French Mediterranean island. It is now normal for him to use a wheelchair or walking stick during his travels because of sciatic nerve pain and a knee problem.
The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion.
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
