Francis made the revelation in his upcoming autobiography, Spera (Hope), excerpts of which were shared with Corriere della Sera yesterday on his 88th birthday.
The pope said he had been strongly advised against making the trip to Iraq in March 2021—the first by a pontiff—because Covid was still raging and the security risks were high, especially in Mosul, the northern city devastated by Islamic State militants. He said he was determined to go ahead, however.
In his recounting of events, British intelligence informed Iraqi police of the planned bombings as soon as he arrived in Baghdad. In turn, the Iraqi police informed the Vatican's security detail.
Denne historien er fra December 18, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 18, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Chelsea's £89m man Mudryk in 'shock' after failed drug test
Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk has been provisionally suspended from football after being notified of a positive drug test by the Football Association.
'Ready for a new challenge' Rashford accepts United time is up but will not rock boat
Marcus Rashford's almost 20-year association with Manchester United looks set to come to an end after the striker acknowledged: \"I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps.\"
Fans face alcohol ban at Saudi World Cup matches
Football fans will be banned from drinking alcohol in stadiums at the 2034 World Cup after last week's controversial award of the tournament to Saudi Arabia.
Arteta wants Arsenal to reach last four and 'build momentum'
Mikel Arteta believes that lifting the Carabao Cup can be the springboard to Arsenal winning bigger trophies as they prepare to face Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals tonight.
Suspended Slot admits Premier League referees are testing him
Arne Slot has said he must reflect on the touchline behaviour that has attracted three yellow cards this season, but he admitted Premier League referees are breaking his limits.
Promoter expects Uefa to authorise new Super League plans
'Unify League' rebrand seeks governing body endorsement after initial rejection in 2021
Mudryk mystery deepens as doping test failure puts stalled career in jeopardy
One sad reality of misfiring winger's absence is that it will be unlikely to affect Chelsea's hopes of challenging for title
Macario at the double as Chelsea top group
A 10-minute storm brought by Catarina Macario was enough to see Chelsea through.
'I like to just be a simple guy. I don't want to be an icon'
Oleksandr Usyk boosted the morale of Ukrainian soldiers by beating Fury once before and is in mood to do it again
Vinícius and Bonmatí crowned Fifa's best players
Vinícius Júnior and Aitana Bonmatí were named the top footballers of the year at Fifa's Best Awards in Doha last night, with Emma Hayes following up her Ballon d'Or win with the women's coach of the year accolade.
