IMAGE: CNS/Reuters
By Junno Arocho Esteves
VATICAN
CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis condemned the attack on Bastille Day Celebrations in
France, calling it an act of “blind violence.”
The
pope expressed his “deep sorrow” and “spiritual closeness”
with the French people in a
message to
Bishop Andre Marceau of Nice, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. Pope Francis entrusted the
victims and their families to God’s mercy.
“The
pope expresses his sympathy to those injured and to all those who have
contributed to rescue efforts, asking the Lord to sustain each one in this trial,”
the cardinal wrote. He said Pope Francis imparted his blessing on grieving families
while invoking “God’s gift of peace and harmony” upon the people of
France.
France declared
three days of mourning and extended its state of emergency after the July 14 attack
along Nice’s seaside promenade; more than 80 people were killed and the
death toll was mounting. The three days of mourning were to begin July 16.
In Paris, Notre Dame
Cathedral scheduled a Mass July 17 for to commemorate the victims.
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