The Russians were up to no good? Surprise, surprise.

An Italian parliamentary investigative commission reports that they believe, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the leaders of the former USSR were behind the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981.

Bulgaria was also implicated in the report, saying it was involved but not directly so, and more of making an attept to divert attention away from the then-Soviet Union’s alleged masterminding role.

What is interesting is how the report, commissioned by Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, categorically expresses its convictions in stating that "This commission believes, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the leaders of the Soviet Union took the initiative to eliminate the Pope Karol Wojtyla."

More from The Independent.