In a stunning and deeply controversial twist, Mehmet Ali Agca — the man who shot and nearly killed Pope John Paul II in 1981 — has unexpectedly arrived in the Turkish city of Iznik, declaring that he wants to meet the current pope, Leo XIV, during celebrations marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.
Agca, once one of the world’s most infamous political terrorists, appeared without warning at the historic commemoration events attended by Pope Leo XIV, who is on his first apostolic visit to Turkey. His arrival has immediately raised security concerns and rekindled memories of one of the most shocking attacks in modern Vatican history.
The Assassin Who Shook the World
On May 13, 1981, during a public audience in St. Peter’s Square, Agca fired multiple shots at Pope John Paul II, critically wounding him. The attack stunned the Catholic world and triggered years of speculation about Agca’s motives and whether foreign intelligence agencies were involved.
Agca served 19 years in an Italian prison for the assassination attempt before being deported to Turkey, where he then served another 10 years for the murder of a newspaper editor — a crime committed before the papal attack. A former member of the ultranationalist Grey Wolves organization, Agca has long been viewed as an unstable and unpredictable figure.
Now in Iznik: “I Want to Meet the Holy Father”
Speaking to Turkish media upon his arrival, Agca calmly declared that he wants to meet Pope Leo XIV, whose visit coincides with the anniversary events.
AFP, citing a senior Turkish official, reports that Agca traveled to Iznik “on his own initiative” and that there is no planned meeting between him and the Pope.
This is not Agca’s first attempt to seek an audience with a pontiff. In 2014, he hoped to meet Pope Francis during the latter’s visit to Turkey — a request that was denied.
A Complicated History: Forgiveness and Unfinished Chapters
Despite the gravity of Agca’s 1981 attack, Pope John Paul II famously visited him in prison in 1983, speaking privately with him and offering forgiveness — an image that became one of the most powerful symbols of papal mercy in the 20th century.
But Vatican security officials take no chances. With Pope Leo XIV present in Turkey for major religious ceremonies, Agca’s sudden appearance has triggered heightened alert and increased scrutiny from Turkish authorities.
A Moment Loaded With Symbolism — and Tension
The First Council of Nicaea, held in 325 AD, shaped the foundations of Christian doctrine. That its 1700th anniversary is now intersecting with the reemergence of Agca — the man behind one of the most infamous attacks on a pope — adds an unexpected layer of drama to Pope Leo XIV’s historic trip.
Whether Agca seeks closure, publicity, or something more remains unknown. But one thing is clear: his presence in Iznik ensures that this solemn anniversary is taking place under a shadow few could have anticipated.