In 1960 the Vatican issued a press release stating that it was " most probable the Secret would remain , for ever , under absolute seal . " This announcement produced considerable speculation over the content of the secret . According to the '' New York Times '' , speculation ranged from " worldwide nuclear annihilation to deep rifts in the Roman Catholic Church that lead to rival papacies . " On 2 May 1981 , Laurence James Downey hijacked an airplane and demanded that Pope John Paul II make public the Third Secret of Fatima
Laurence James Downey hijacked an airplane
Aer Lingus Flight 164
Three Secrets of Fátima