This Day in History: , Pope John Paul II Is Shot.<br />May 13, 1981.<br />Mehmet Ali Agca shot <br />Pope John Paul several times <br />in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.<br />Agca was a Turkish terrorist <br />and fugitive wanted for the <br />murder of a journalist.<br />The Pontiff was rushed to <br />the hospital and survived <br />the attack, asking for Catholics <br />to pray for the would-be assassin.<br />In a trial considered extraordinary <br />because of its short length, Agca <br />was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.<br />In 1983, Pope John Paul visited <br />Agca in prison and publicly <br />forgave him for the shooting.<br />In 2000, the Pope requested a <br />pardon for Agca, which was <br />granted. Agca was released <br />from prison.<br />14 years later, Argca returned to <br />Rome to lay white roses <br />on John Paul's tomb
