Pope's telegramme of condolence after Brazil shooting

Pope Francis is "deeply affected by the dramatic attack that took place during the celebration of Holy Mass in the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Campinas. Those were the words contained in the telegramme, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, sent to the diocesan administrator of the archdiocese of Campinas.

The Pontiff "entrusts to the mercy of God the victims of the massacre" and assures his closeness and spiritual comfort to the families who have lost their loved ones and to the entire archdiocesan community. Moreover, Pope Francis invokes "a prompt recovery for the wounded, inviting everyone, in the face of a moment of pain, to find comfort and strength in the Risen Jesus, praying that hope will not be lacking in this hour of trial and that forgiveness and love will prevail over hatred and vengeance".

Five people were killed in the shooting carried out yesterday by Euler Fernando Grandolpho, a 49-year-old man, who was unemployed and suffering with depression. At the end of the midday Mass, he entered the Cathedral of Campinas, about 100 km from São Paulo, armed with guns, killing 5 people and injuring 3 others before committing suicide at the foot of the high altar. Today the cathedral has been reopened to celebrate a mass in memory of the victims of the attack. Many flowers were placed on the stairs of the church, in a building next door a banner appeared with the words: "Peace to those who left in the tragedy of 11-12-2018".