Share

Related

2002: Pope John Paul II visits Bulgaria 26.09.2015

Text size

Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

40 years since the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II

published on 5/13/21 7:05 AM

Photo: Library

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square in Rome. The Bulgarian Sergei Antonov, an employee of the BGA Balkan office in Rome, was accused of complicity in the attack on May 13, 1981. The news of the "Bulgarian trace" in the attempted assassination travelled around the world in a flash.

On March 29, 1986, an Italian court acquitted Antonov, and the assassin, Ali Agca, remained in prison for life. On April 1, 1986, after 1,222 days behind bars in an Italian prison, Antonov returned to Sofia in a severe physical and mental condition, diagnosed with cerebral atrophy caused by psychotropic drugs which, according to doctors, were forcibly administered to him in prison.

In May 2002, during his official visit to Bulgaria at a meeting with President Georgi Parvanov, Pope John Paul II stated: "I never believed in the so-called Bulgarian trace in the assassination attempt against me, it was an insinuation and a great injustice to the Bulgarian people.”.

You can read more on this topic HERE.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News Ali Agca assassination attempted assassination Pope John Paul II Sergei Antonov

More from category

Stormy Wednesday with hot sun in the sky

Wednesday will be mostly sunny, with clouds developing over the western half of the country in the afternoon. There will be brief showers, thunderstorms and a chance of hail. The phenomena will be intense in mountainous areas. Maximum temperatures will..

published on 6/25/24 7:05 PM

Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov pays a working visit to Vienna

Caretaker Minister of Interior Kalin Stoyanov is attending the ministerial conference of the Salzburg Forum countries in Vienna, the Ministry of Interior's press center reported. The conference is held within the framework of the Austrian..

published on 6/25/24 6:08 PM

Bulgarian Development Bank to finance the country's defense industry

The Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) is starting "unlimited" financing for the country's defense industry. According to caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth Rosen Karadimov, the military-industrial complex is a strategic sector for Bulgaria,..

published on 6/25/24 5:49 PM

1
..
5
6
7
8
9
10

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 16 | Max: 27

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

MOST VIEWED

US announces $5m reward for information leading to arrest of notorious fugitive Ruja Ignatova

Bulgarian prosecutors and the FBI have worked together to uncover an embezzlement scheme involving Ruja Ignatova , acting Prosecutor-General Borislav..

published on 6/26/24 4:09 PM

Influential international service signals highest threat level against Boyko Borissov

An alert of the highest threat level issued by one of the most influential intelligence services in the world is the reason why the home of GERB leader..

published on 6/26/24 11:20 AM

Bulgaria will defend its position on Republic of North Macedonia

At the European Council, Bulgaria will insist on including a text on the Republic of North Macedonia in the adoption of the conclusions of the meeting ,..

published on 6/27/24 10:45 AM

shopify analytics ecommerce
tracking