The gunman who attempted to assassinate John Paul II tried to meet with Leo XIV in Turquí: what happened?
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Iznik for the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea was intended to be solemn and reflective. Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who shot John Paul II, unexpectedly appeared in Iznik, hoping to meet the Pope. Local authorities prevented Agca from approaching the Pope, increasing security measures. Agca's presence brought back memories of his past, including his attack on John Paul II and subsequent imprisonment. Agca has remained a controversial figure since his release, offering inconsistent explanations for his actions.
12 days ago
Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish gunman who attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981, surfaced in Iznik, Turkey, on the eve of Pope Leo XIV's visit to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.1
Agca sought a brief meeting with the Pope, describing the papal presence in the city as "extraordinary" and positioning himself as central to a "divine plan."1
His appearance heightened tensions in Iznik, a site of immense Christian historical significance, already preparing for a highly secured papal pilgrimage.1
Agca's history includes ties to Turkish ultranationalism, organized crime, and the 1979 murder of journalist Abdi Ipekçi.1
He escaped prison under mysterious circumstances before the 1981 assassination attempt on John Paul II, for which he served nearly two decades in Italy before returning to Turkey in 2000.1
Released in 2010, Agca has since made erratic public statements, blending apologies, conspiracy theories, and claims of mystical conversion, often seeking proximity to Vatican events.1
John Paul II's personal forgiveness during a prison visit in the 1980s symbolized mercy but left Agca's motives unresolved.1
Turkish authorities swiftly intervened, escorting Agca out of Iznik to prevent any disruption amid intensified security for the Pope's arrival.1
The move ensured the visit remained focused and solemn, avoiding echoes of the 1981 attack's shadows.1
Agca's exclusion underscored the controlled nature of the event in a region sensitive to papal visits.1
Pope Leo XIV arrived by helicopter and proceeded with prayers at the ancient Council of Nicea site, emphasizing Christian unity without any interference from Agca.1
The pilgrimage highlighted themes of healing divisions, contrasting sharply with Agca's self-centered intrusion attempt.1
The event unfolded peacefully, reinforcing the symbolic weight of Iznik as a cradle of ecumenical history.1
Examine the Church’s response to the 2025 Turquí security incident
In late 2025, the Catholic Church, under Pope Leo XIV, demonstrated a commitment to dialogue, peace, and unity in response to the broader geopolitical and security challenges in Turkey, particularly during his apostolic journey to the country. While specific details of a "Turquí security incident" (likely referring to Türkiye, or Turkey) are not directly addressed in the available Vatican documentation from that period, the Church's actions—centered on the papal visit from November 27 to 29—can be seen as a proactive response to ongoing regional tensions, including those involving religious freedoms, interfaith relations, and global calls for harmony. This journey, marking 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, emphasized reconciliation and solidarity in a nation with a history of complex Christian-Muslim dynamics and occasional security threats to religious minorities. The Pope's itinerary, including addresses and liturgical celebrations, served as a pastoral outreach to foster stability and counter any divisive forces, aligning with the Church's longstanding advocacy for peace in volatile areas.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Türkiye occurred against a backdrop of heightened global awareness of security issues in the Middle East and beyond, where religious persecution and conflict often intersect. The journey, which also extended to Lebanon, was framed from the outset as a mission of unity and peace-building. In his greeting to journalists aboard the papal flight from Rome to Ankara on November 27, 2025, the Pope highlighted the trip's significance: "this particular trip to Turkey and to Lebanon has, as you know, first of all, the very meaning of unity celebrating 1700 years from the Council of Nicaea.... And I very much have been looking forward to this trip because of what it means for all Christians. But it's also a great message to the whole world and in a special way, with the presence of myself, of the Church, of believers in both Turkey and in Lebanon. We hope to also announce, transmit and proclaim how is important peace throughout the world." This statement underscores the Church's intentional response to potential security risks by prioritizing ecumenical and interreligious dialogue as tools for de-escalation. By publicly invoking brotherhood across differences—"in spite of different religions, in spite of different beliefs, that we are all brothers and sisters"—the Pope positioned the visit as a counter-narrative to any incidents that might fuel division or violence.
The choice of venues and activities further illustrates a measured approach to security. The Holy Mass celebrated in Istanbul's Volkswagen Arena on November 29, 2025, brought together diverse Christian communities in a large, controlled public space, symbolizing resilience and openness despite Turkey's secular constitution and occasional restrictions on religious expression. This event echoed historical papal visits to Turkey, such as Pope Francis's 2014 journey, where he addressed violence directly: "It is precisely the oblivion of God, and not his glorification, which generates violence. For this reason I insisted on the importance of Christians and Muslims working together for solidarity, for peace and justice." Pope Leo XIV built on this tradition, using the 2025 visit to reaffirm the Church's role in promoting "real freedom of worship to its citizens and to the religious communities," as articulated in earlier contexts. In a region prone to security incidents involving minorities, the Church's visible presence—protected yet outreach-oriented—served as both a statement of solidarity and a call for restraint from authorities and society.
The Church's response aligns with its doctrinal emphasis on religious freedom as essential for peace, a theme recurrent in Vatican teachings. In an October 10, 2025, address to "Aid to the Church in Need," Pope Leo XIV stressed: "our world continues to witness rising hostility and violence against those who hold different convictions, including many Christians.... The words of Saint Paul remind us: 'If one member suffers, all suffer together' (1 Cor 12:26)." This directly ties to Turkey, where Christian communities face sporadic security threats, and positions the Church as an advocate for the vulnerable. The Pope elaborated that religious freedom is "a cornerstone of any just society," warning that its denial leads to "a slow disintegration of the ethical and spiritual bonds that sustain communities; trust gives way to fear, suspicion replaces dialogue, and oppression breeds violence." Applied to 2025 events, this framework suggests the apostolic journey was not merely ceremonial but a strategic intervention to mitigate escalation from any security incident by reinforcing interfaith cooperation.
Drawing from the Second Vatican Council's Dignitatis Humanae, cited in the same address, the Church insists that religious rights must be "recognized in the legal and institutional life of every nation." Pope Leo XIV's visit implicitly invoked this, as seen in parallel messages like his September 14, 2025, letter to the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, where he called for religious leaders to "stand together in defence of society’s most vulnerable" and create "synergy for peace – one that... is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering." In Turkey, a Muslim-majority nation with a laic state, this approach counters security incidents by promoting "faith unites more than it divides," potentially diffusing tensions through shared witness to human dignity.
The Church's response extended beyond the visit to institutional support for affected communities. Organizations like Aid to the Church in Need, founded in 1947 to aid post-war reconciliation, were highlighted as models for accompanying persecuted groups. Pope Leo XIV praised their work in "foster[ing] forgiveness and reconciliation, and to accompany and give a voice to the Church wherever she is in need." This suggests that in response to any 2025 incident, the Church would mobilize such networks for humanitarian aid and advocacy, echoing calls in other 2025 messages for "protect[ing] minors" and building "communities that safeguard dignity" through truth and humility. While not specific to Turkey, this protective ethos applies universally, urging collaboration to transform "wounds... into openings for grace."
In summary, the Catholic Church's response to security challenges in Turkey during 2025, as evidenced by Pope Leo XIV's apostolic journey and related teachings, focused on proactive peace-building through unity, dialogue, and defense of religious freedom. By commemorating Nicaea and engaging directly with Turkish society, the Church modeled resilience against division, drawing on scriptural solidarity and conciliar doctrine to promote healing in a tense context. This approach reaffirms the Church's mission: not isolation in the face of threats, but bold witness to fraternity for the good of all.