John Paul II was wounded in 2nd assassination attempt, his secretary reveals

October 16, 2008

Pope John Paul II was wounded when he was attacked by a fanatical priest during a visit to Fatima in 1982, his former secretary has revealed. One year after he was shot by Mehmet Ali Agca, the Pontiff was assailed by a bayonet-wielding Spanish cleric. Although the incident was widely reported at the time, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz has now disclosed that the Pontiff was bloodied in the attack; the Vatican had chosen not to disclose the wound at the time.

Cardinal Dziwisz made his revelation as the Vatican prepared for the first screening of a movie, Testimony, based on the Polish cardinal's book, My Friend Karol, about his 40 years as secretary to the late Pontiff. Pope Benedict XVI was scheduled to attend the premiere of the 90-minute film in the Vatican auditorium.

The Spanish cleric who stabbed Pope John Paul at Fatima, Juan Fernandez y Krohn served three years in a Portuguese prison after being convicted of the assault. He later left the priesthood and worked as a lawyer. He has been involved in several other criminal cases involving violent behavior at extremist political protests.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• John Paul was wounded in 1982 stabbing, aide reveals (Reuters)
• Pope John Paul 'wounded' in 1982 (BBC)
• New movie on JPII's life premieres (AP)
• Pope Benedict XVI to Watch New John Paul II Movie (Vatican Radio)