May 13th, 2016 is the 35th anniversary of the day Pope St. John Paul II suffered an assassination attempt. In broad daylight, in the middle of St. Peter’s Square surrounded by faithful, Mehmet Ali Ağca pulled out a gun and shot the pontiff at close to point-blank range.
Miraculously, the 61-year-old pope survived – and was able to personally forgive his attacked in prison. John Paul II himself credited his survival with the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima, whose feast day it was.
The above video is a TV report about the terrible day, and shows footage of the assassination (viewer discretion is advised!)
h/t uCatholic
[See also: Is John Paul II’s Ghost Behind Pope Francis? The Truth About This Viral Photo]
[See also: How St. John Paul II Saved St. Faustina’s Suppressed Divine Mercy Devotion]