Pope's Assassination Attempt in 1981

Pope Shot' & 'Pope's Day of Terror' Thursday, May 14 & Friday, 15, 1981 Melbourne newspaper banner posters, each 25.98 in. x 20.08 in. The first attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II took place on Wednesday, 13 May 1981, in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. The Pope was shot and wounded by Mehmet Ali A?ca while he was entering the square. The Pope was struck four times and suffered severe blood loss. A?ca was apprehended immediately and later sentenced to life in prison by an Italian court. The Pope later forgave A?ca for the assassination attempt. He was pardoned by Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi at the Pope's request and was deported to Turkey in June 2000.