2023-05-12

May 12, 1982 – Assassination attempt against the Pope in Fátima

On May 12, 1982, Pope John Paul II visited Portugal for a pastoral visit. As part of his itinerary, he planned to visit the shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, a Catholic pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary. However, this event was almost marred by an assassination attempt.

During a procession outside the shrine, an individual named Juan María Fernández y Krohn attempted to attack the pope with a bayonet. Fortunately, security guards on site were able to overpower him before he could carry out his plan.

Fernández y Krohn was a former Spanish priest who had been expelled from the Catholic Church due to his ultra-conservative beliefs and his involvement in a plot to overthrow the Spanish government. He had also attempted to assassinate the king of Spain in 1978.

The attack on Pope John Paul II was therefore a desperate attempt by Fernández y Krohn to make his voice heard. Fortunately, the security measures in place prevented a tragedy from occurring.

This incident serves as a reminder that historical events are not just dates and names, but have real implications for the individuals involved. The attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II undoubtedly had an emotional impact on the pope himself, as well as on the security guards and the individuals present at the event.

Ultimately, however, this incident also highlighted the importance of security in public events and led to a reevaluation of security surrounding papal travels. Even today, strict security measures are in place to protect religious and political leaders during their travels.

In conclusion, the 1982 Fátima attack is a reminder of the fragility of security at public events, but also of the resilience of those who work to protect the individuals involved. It also underscores the importance of constant vigilance and preparedness to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Légende - Photo
ديفيد عادل وهبة خليل 2, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A1tima#/media/Fichier:Calv%C3%A1ro_Hungaro_Fatima_0593_(18588992344).jpg
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