Pope Francis, speaking to around 80,000 people at the end of his traditional Easter Sunday blessing, addressed the massacre of Christians killed in Sri Lanka.
As many as 190 people are dead as a result of the Easter Sunday terrorist attack after eight explosions ripped through high-end hotels and churches - as suspected suicide bombers blew themselves up.
The 82-year-old pontiff said, 'I want to express my loving closeness to the Christian community, targeted while they were gathered in prayer, and all the victims of such cruel violence.'
'I entrust to the Lord all those who were tragically killed and pray for the injured and all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event,' the pope added.
At the Easter vigil, which was held yesterday afternoon, he also encouraged Christians to reject the 'glitter of wealth'.
He said: 'Sin seduces. It promises things easily and quickly, prosperity and success, but leaves behind only solitude and death.
'Sin is looking for life among the dead, for the meaning of life in things that pass away.'
He went on to say: 'Why not prefer Jesus, the true light, to the glitter of wealth, career, pride and pleasure?'
Sri Lanka's police chief had made a nationwide alert 10 days before today's bombings, warning that Islamic extremists planned suicide bombings at 'prominent churches', sources say, but it is not yet clear who is responsible for the attacks - and no one has claimed responsibility.
No comments:
Post a Comment