Pope Francis: ‘strongest condemnation’ for Paris terror attack

January 08, 2015

Pope Francis has expressed “the strongest condemnation for the horrific attack that marred the city of Paris” on January 7, an attack notable for “sowing death, throwing into dismay the whole of French society, [and] deeply disturbing all peace-loving people,” according to a statement from Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Holy See Press Office.

Praying for the wounded and the families of the dead, the Pope “calls upon all to oppose by all means the spread of hatred and of all forms of violence, physical and moral, which destroy human life, which violate the dignity of people, which radically undermines the fundamental good of peaceful coexistence between individuals and peoples regardless of their differences of nationality, religion and culture,” Father Lombardi continued.

“Whatever may be the motivation, homicidal violence is abominable,” Father Lombardi added. “It is never justifiable. The life and dignity of all are to be guaranteed and protected with decision. Every incitement to hatred should be refuted. Respect must be cultivated.”

At his January 8 morning Mass at Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Pope preached that the attack “brings to mind so much cruelty-- human cruelty-- so much terrorism, both isolated [incidents of] terrorism and of state terrorism.”

“Of how much cruelty is man capable!” he added. “We pray, in this Mass, for the victims of this cruelty-- so many of them-- and we pray also for the perpetrators of such cruelty, that the Lord might change their heart.”

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis: prayers for victims of Paris attack (Vatican Radio)
• Pope Francis condemns Paris attack (Vatican Radio)
• Il cordoglio del Santo Padre per le vittime dell’attentato a Parigi (Holy See Press Office)
• Vatican, French bishops decry terror attack in Paris (CWN, 1/7)