During Easter Mass, Pope Francis expressed solidarity with victims of the Sri Lanka attack.
In an address during Easter Mass, Pope Francis expressed sadness over the attacks in Sri Lanka and said he was close to "all the victims of such cruel violence"; the death toll from the tragedy has now surpassed 200.
RFI - At least 207 people died, of whom at least 35 were foreigners, and more than 450 were injured. "These serious attacks have brought mourning and sorrow to many churches and other places of gathering in Sri Lanka, precisely today, Easter Sunday," the pontiff declared, after the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing to thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
"I would like to express my heartfelt closeness to the Christian community, struck while gathered together in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence. I entrust to the Lord those who tragically died and I pray for all the wounded and all who suffer because of this tragic event," the Pope added.
Punishment "without mercy"
The Archbishop of Colombo, however, delivered a harsher speech regarding the tragedy, urging the Sri Lankan government to "punish without mercy" those responsible for the attacks. "I would like to ask the government to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to determine who is responsible for this act and also to punish them without mercy, because only animals can behave like this," declared Archbishop Malcolm Ranjit.
Despite the harsh speech, he urged the population "not to take justice into their own hands and to maintain peace and harmony in this country." "I also ask those who can to donate blood to help those who are injured," the cardinal added.
Conflicts in the world
In addition to the attacks in the South Asian country, Francis also prayed for the conflict in Libya and for Syrian refugees. "May the weapons stop bleeding Libya, where, once again, defenseless people are dying in these last few weeks and where many families are forced to leave their homes," he said, before requesting "dialogue" between the opposing parties in the conflict over the capture of the capital Tripoli. From Saturday (20) to Sunday (21), the fighting intensified.
Regarding Syria, Francis lamented that the people "are victims of a conflict that persists and that can leave us increasingly resigned and even indifferent." "It is time to renew our commitment to a political solution that responds to the just aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice, that addresses the humanitarian crisis and facilitates the safe return of displaced persons and those who have taken refuge in neighboring countries, especially Lebanon and Jordan," the Pope emphasized.
The situation in Sudan is also being closely monitored by the Vatican. The pontiff has asked South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar to commit to "the reconciliation of the nation." The two recently met with the Pope for a two-day spiritual retreat, at the end of which Francis said he hoped that "hostilities will finally cease and the armistice will be respected." The Pope then knelt and kissed the feet of the two rivals.