Pope John Paul II's gunman plans to write tell-all

London, Jan 11 (ANI): The Turkish gunman, who tried to assassinate Pope John Paul II nearly three decades ago, is planning to write a book and make a film narrating his story after he is released from jail later this month.

Mehmet Ali Agca shot and wounded John Paul II in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981, however, the pontiff met him in an Italian prison two years later and forgave him for the attack.

Agca served 19 years in an Italian prison for the assassination attempt and was then extradited to Turkey in 2000.

But he was again imprisoned for the murder of a Turkish journalist in 1979.

Agca is about to complete his 10-year sentence and is due to be released on Jan 18.

He has expressed a wish through his lawyer to travel to Rome to meet John Paul's successor, Benedict XVI, though he has not yet set a date for the visit.

He hopes to collaborate on book, film and television projects about his attempt on John Paul's life, reports the Telegraph.

Agca has reportedly asked for more than 1million pounds for an exclusive television interview, and is also planning to pen an autobiography.

The attempt to cash in on his dark past has been condemned as "shameful" by Italian investigators and MPs. (ANI)