May 13, 1981: Pope John Paul II Survives Assassination Attempt

On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II survived an assassination attempt by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Ağca, who fired four shots, hitting the pope twice. The pope forgave his attacker and credited the Virgin Mary for saving his life. The Vatican adopted new security protocols, including the bulletproof "popemobile." Ali Ağca was sentenced to life in prison, but later pardoned and released. Pope John Paul II was canonized as a saint in 2014.