A gunman imprisoned for almost 17 years after he shot and wounded John Paul II took a visit in Vatican, and laid flowers at the saint's tomb.
Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish suspect to the shooting of the pope in Italy in May 1981, has visited the Vatican and went to John Paul II's tomb.
According to the report by The Business Standard and Fox News, a spokesperson in Vatican, Rev. Ciro Benedettini, told the media that Agca paid his respects to the saint who have forgiven him in spite his intentions to kill him. The spokesman also mentioned that this could be Agca's first trip to the Vatican since the assassination attempt almost 33 years ago.
After the assassination attempt, Agca was imprisoned in Italy where he was given a life sentence. More than two years later on December 27, 1983, John Paul II visited him and forgave him of the violent act.
After almost 17 years in prison, then Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi pardoned him, with the intervention of John Paul II.
Agca then was deported Turkey where he continued his 10-year sentence, which he had been serving before he escaped and had the chance to assassinate the pope.
In the report, Agca laid white flowers on John Paul II's tomb, thanking him for the forgiveness he has shown him.