August 18, 2010. Ali Agca, the terrorist who attacked Pope John Paul II has said that his intention was not to kill the Pope, but instead to injur him. He also spoke of the outcome of the attack of May 13, 1981 as a miracle.



In an interview with the Italian magazine Gente, "Agca talks about his stay in maximum security prisons in Turkey and Italy, the state of his mental health and his role in one of the biggest mysteries of recent decades. .


Agci – a former member a terrorist group called the Grey Wolves – describes John Paul II as the most admirable person of the twentieth century and he recalls when the Pope went to visit him when he was in prison. Agca says "it was a wonderful time, we were like old friends." John Paul II even gave him a medal of Our Lady of Fatima, which was lost when Agca changed prisons.  

Agca finished his prison term six months ago and is preparing a book which will be released later this year.

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