Homily – Memorial of St. Paul II October 22, 2026 – Most Rev. Stephen A. Hero

Bishop Stephen A. Hero reflected on the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II during a homily for the memorial of the saint on October 22, 2026.

Hero recalled the events of May 13, 1981, when the Pope was shot at close range in St. Peter’s Square. The shooting wounded the Pope in the abdomen, right arm, and left hand, and also injured two women in the crowd. A Swiss Guard and several pilgrims subdued the gunman. Hero noted that the Pope attributed his survival to the prayers of Our Lady of Fatima, as the attack occurred on her feast day.

The bishop mentioned that a red cobblestone in St. Peter’s Square marks the location of the shooting. He described the impact of the violence on the public and noted the differences in security precautions between that era and the present day.