Video: 'CBS News - Pope assassination attempt - 1981-05-13'

(Wednesday, May 13, 1981, 5:17 p.m. Central European Summer Time) — Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded today as he was standing in an open car moving slowly among more than 10,000 worshipers in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City to address a general audience.

The Pope was struck four times and suffered severe blood loss. The Pontiff underwent 5 hours and 25 minutes of surgery in which parts of his intestine were removed.

The attack occurred as the Pope, dressed in white, was shaking hands and lifting small children in his arms while being driven around the square. Suddenly, as he reached a point just outside the Vatican’s bronze gate, there was a burst of gunfire.

Video: 'CBS News Papal Assassination Attempt - May 13, 1981 1-2 pm.'

Bystanders Ann Odre of the United States, and Rose Hill of Jamaica, were also injured.

Turkish assailant Mehmet Ali Agca, who fired from a distance of 15 feet, was apprehended immediately and later sentenced to life in prison by an Italian court.

Video: '1981 The Pope Assassination Attempt.wmv'

Several theories exist concerning Agca’s motivations for the assassination attempt.

The Pope later forgave Agca for the assassination attempt.He was pardoned by Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi at the Pope’s request and was deported to Turkey in June 2000.