On 27 February 1980 , Mentana was hired by RAI , Italy 's public radio and television broadcaster . His first interview was with the mother of Mehmet Ali Ağca after Ağca 's assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II . Within RAI , Mentana was put in charge of TG1 and then became deputy director of TG2 . In 1987 , he refused a request from Bettino Craxi , the leader of the Italian Socialist Party , to be the main spokesperson for a political commercial . This led to tension between Mentana and the RAI management . Starting in 1988 , Mentana was restricted to minor roles . In 1991 , he was fired from RAI
assassination attempt
Pope John Paul II assassination attempt
Enrico Mentana