Vatican City, 14 November 2015 (VIS) –
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin has sent a telegram on
behalf of the Holy Father to Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, archbishop
of Paris, following the terrorist attacks in the French capital which
took place during the night of 13 November, which have so far caused
127 deaths and many injuries.
Having learned of the horrible
terrorist attacks in Paris and at the Stade de France, causing the
death of many people and injuring many others, the Holy Father
Francis joins in prayer with the suffering of the families affected
by this tragedy and the mourning of the French people. He asks that
God, the merciful Father, welcome the victims in the peace of His
light and offer consolation and hope to the injured and their
families. He assures them, and all the members of the emergency
services, of his spiritual proximity. Once again the Holy Father
vigorously condemns violence, which resolves nothing, and asks God to
inspire in all thoughts of peace and solidarity, and to extend to all
families at this difficult time, and all the French people, the
abundance of His blessings”.
The Catholic television channel Sat
2000, during a special programme on the Paris attacks, made a
telephone call to Pope Francis who, when asked about his reaction to
last night's massacre, said: “I am moved, saddened and do not
understand, but these things are difficult to comprehend … and so I
pray. I am very close to the beloved French people, I am close to the
families of the victims, and I pray for all of them”.
In response to the journalist who
remarked that the Holy Father has often stated we are experiencing a
“piecemeal third world war”, he affirmed, “Yes, and this is one
of the pieces. But there are no justifications for these things, …
neither religious nor human. This is not human. Therefore, I am close
to all those who suffer and to all France, whom I love greatly. Thank
you for calling”.
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