VATICAN CITY, MAR 14, 2004 (VIS) - Today at noon an enormous crowd of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus with Pope John Paul and to salute him on the day his pontificate became the third longest in history. In his traditional address to the pilgrims, the Holy Father once again expressed his "absolute condemnation" of last Thursday's barbaric terror attack in Madrid, and asked the Blessed Virgin "to protect and watch over the dear Spanish nation, Europe and the entire world." Following are his remarks in their entirety:
"The Gospel story proposed to us in this Sunday's liturgy refers to two tragic events at the time of Jesus: the cruel repression of a revolt and the collapse of the tower of Siloam on the nearby crowd. This brings us to current events of our days, marked unfortunately by repeated news of violence and death.
"Last Sunday I spoke of the hot spots of war and of the terrorist attacks that have bloodied various parts of the world. Last Thursday there was the dramatic attack in Madrid which caused 200 victims and more than 1,000 wounded. This horrendous crime shocked world public opinion. In the face of such barbarity we are profoundly shaken, and we ask how the human soul is able to conceive such abominable crimes.
"While I repeat my absolute condemnation of such unjustifiable acts, I express once again my participation in the pain of the families of the victims and my closeness in prayer to the wounded and to their families.
"The choral display of solidarity that arose in every corner of Spain last Friday, with the participation of political leaders from all of Europe, had an emotional echo throughout the world.
"It is precisely relying on the unified contribution of all the wholesome forces of the continent that we can look forward with trust and hope in a better future. In particular those who believe in God, Creator and Father of all men, must feel committed to working for the building of a more fraternal world, marked by solidarity, notwithstanding the difficulties and obstacles that are encountered in this necessary and non-deferable path."
ANG/CONDEMNATION TERRORISM/... VIS 20040315 (370)
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