Security concerns were raised in the days before the visit after Iraqi governmental officials warned they had received intelligence reports suggesting Islamic fundamentalists may be planning an attempt on the Pope's life while in Albania.
Keamanan diperketat pada hari-hari sebelum kunjungan tersebut setelah para pemimpin pemerintahan Irak mendapatkan laporan intelijensi yang menyatakan bahwa fundamentalis Islam akan merencakan sebuah upaya terhadap hidup Paus ketika di Albania.