Pope gunman: I want to convert to Christianity

May 13, 2009
By SUZAN FRASER
Associated Press Writer

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- The man who shot Pope John Paul II says he would like to convert to Christianity at a baptism ceremony at the Vatican soon after his release from prison in January, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Over the years, Mehmet Ali Agca has made frequent claims that he is the Messiah or Jesus Christ, raising questions about his mental health and leading to speculation that he had converted to Christianity.

"Agca is not formally a Christian," lawyer Haci Ali Ozhan told The Associated Press. "When he converts, he would like a baptism ceremony at the Vatican," Ozhan said, relaying comments Agca made during a recent prison meeting. the rest