1983 - Pope John Paul II visit's the imprisoned Mehmet Ali Ağca, the man who had tried to assassinate him. Whilst in hospital recovering from the attempt on his life the Pope had urged all Catholics to pray forgiveness for Mehmet Ali Ağca's soul.
They had a private conversation, and emerged as friends. The pope stayed in touch with Ağca’s family during the latter's incarceration, and in 2000 requested that he be pardoned.
The request was granted. Ağca was released and deported to Turkey, where he was imprisoned for the life sentence he had fled decades prior. He converted to Christianity while incarcerated, and was finally released in 2010. In December 2014, he returned to Rome and laid two dozen white roses at the pope’s tomb.