7. Pope John Paul II

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In one of the most dramatic and widely-televised assassination attempts of the 20th century, Mehmet Ali Agca shot Pope John Paul II as he entered St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981. Although seriously wounded, the Pope survived and went on to remain Pope until his death in 2005. Agca was sentenced to life in prison by an Italian court but was released after 19 years to serve 10 years in prison in his home country of Turkey. He was freed on January 18, 2010.