European authorities detain Turkish individual for alleged plans to assassinate Pope Francis
Pope Francis passed away at the Vatican on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, but not before an extensive investigation was launched following the discovery of a potential assassination plot.
Italian media report that a Turkish citizen, Hasan Uzun, has been arrested and imprisoned in Italy in connection with the plot. Uzun was detained in the Netherlands by Interpol and subsequently extradited to Italy.
Reports suggest that the assassination plot may have been orchestrated by a Turkey-based group linked to the terrorist organization Daesh. Prosecutors are gathering more details about the incident with the help of a Turkish interpreter, but no further details about the alleged target or motive of the plot have been disclosed.
The media reports that a suitcase containing a handgun, a 9 mm Luger, and ammunition was found before Pope Francis' planned visit to Trieste in July 2024. During his stay in the city, the pope mingled with the public in an open electric vehicle, presiding over an outdoor mass in the main square of the northeastern port city the day after the incident.
Italian police launched an extensive investigation following the discovery of the suitcase, and Hasan Uzun was arrested and transferred to prison in Trieste after being held in custody in Milan for several days. However, there are no relevant search results indicating who the interrogator of Hasan Uzun is or when his interrogations will begin.
The investigation had been considering the possibility of an assassination plot for over a year, and Pope Leo XIV's anticipated visit to Iznik triggered a media frenzy in Turkey. Despite the media speculation, it was Pope Francis who was visiting Trieste, not Pope Leo XIV.
Hasan Uzun has been unable to communicate with anyone in prison due to his lack of English proficiency, and there are no updates on when he will be questioned further. The Vatican has not yet released a statement regarding the investigation or the passing of Pope Francis.
