Secrets of Fatima

Re “Last Secret of Fatima Foretold Attack on Pope, Vatican Says,” May 14: According to Pope John Paul II, the Virgin Mary “deflected” an assailant’s bullets during his assassination attempt, thereby saving the pope’s life. Such deflection was decidedly imperfect, however, in that she allowed the bullets to enter his body and do substantial damage to several of the pope’s vital organs. It was only through the efforts of surgeons applying modern medical techniques that the pope’s life was ultimately saved.

This, then, is the revelation of the fourth secret of Our Lady of Fatima: that while religion can provide inspiration and hope, it is only through the application of reason and science that humanity can find its ultimate salvation.

MICHAEL MASTERSON

Pacific Palisades