JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: From the Vatican today, details about one of the great religious mysteries of the 20th century: the "Third Secret of Fatima." CNN's Rome bureau chief Gayle Young reports.</s>GAYLE YOUNG, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): The Vatican believes the newly released text of the so-called "Third Secret of Fatima" will show that faith changed the course of a bullet and the course of history. The "Third Secret" which was revealed by John Paul II last May in A vision of the Virgin is believed to have revealed three secrets in Fatima to three Portuguese children, only one of whom is still alive. The now 93-year-old Sister Lucia wrote down the secrets in the early 1940s. One was a vision of Hell. The second was said to have predicted World War II. The third was kept in a Vatican vault and was the subject of intense speculation. According to the just released text, the children saw a vision of a pope struggling up a hill of corpses toward a cross. He was shot to death by soldiers. Bishops and priests were also killed. Vatican theologians say it was a vision of the fate of the Roman Catholic Church, if not for a renewal of faith by its adherence. The pope believes the virgin Mary guided the bullet and saved his life that May 13th in 1981. It was the date of the Virgin's feast and the date she first appeared to the children. Sister Lucia reportedly concurs with the interpretation. The Catholic faithful are likely to embrace it. Others may find it harder to believe. Gayle Young, CNN, Rome.
Vatican Releases Details About Third Secret of Fatima