Despite the region’s relevance to Christianity, the pontiff’s Iraq trip from March 5 to March 8, 2021, was considered risky because of the persisting COVID-19 pandemic and instances of violence throughout the battle-scarred country. “Almost everyone advised me against that trip,” Francis reportedly wrote in “Hope.”

In an excerpt from his forthcoming autobiography, Francis said two suicide bombers had been planning to attack one of his events in Mosul.

Two attempted attacks on Pope Francis, including one by a suicide bomber, were foiled during his landmark trip to Iraq in 2021, the pontiff has revealed in an autobiography.

Pope Francis revealed an attempt on his life was foiled during his historic trip to Iraq, according to reports, reflecting on the event in his upcoming memoir.

According to Pope Francis, a bid to kill him during a 2021 visit to Iraq was foiled following a tip from British intelligence.

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis turned 88 on Tuesday and marked the occasion with revelations that he almost didn’t make it. According to excerpts of his upcoming autobiography, suicide bombers had planned to attack him during his 2021 visit to Iraq, but were killed before striking.

Pope Francis assassination plot in Iraq foiled after British intelligence tip-off - Two suicide bombers had planned to target Pontiff on 2021 visit to Iraq

A woman packed with explosives...was heading to Mosul to blow herself up,' pontiff recalls in upcoming autobiography; would-be bombers apparently killed by police, Francis says

In a new autobiography, Pope Francis revealed that he escaped two assassination attempts during his visit to Iraq in March 2021, including one involving a young woman who was believed to be attempting a suicide bombing.

Iraq's Christians, whose presence there goes back nearly to the time of Christ, have celebrated Christmas while voicing concerns about their security (Dec. 25, AP video shot by Rashid Yahya)

Pilgrims lined up early to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome as Christmas marks the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration.