Pope Francis prays for victims of Colombia terrorist attack

By Christopher Wells

In a telegram addressed to the Cardinal Archbishop of Bogotá, Ruben Salazar Gómez, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the Holy Father is praying for those who have lost their lives.

Pope Francis, he said, “also wants to extend his support and closeness to the many wounded, to their families, and to the whole of Colombian society.”

The Holy Father once again condemned “blind violence,” which he denounced as “a very grave offense to the Creator.”

The telegram concluded with the Holy Father’s prayer to the Lord “to help persevere in the construction of harmony and peace” in Colombia, “and throughout the world.”

Full text

Below please find the full text of the telegram in English (original in Spanish):

Cardinal Rubén Salazar Gómez
Archbishop of Bogotá

In view of the news of the cruel terrorist attack that has sowed pain and death in the city of Bogota, Pope Francis expresses his deepest sorrow for the victims who have lost their lives in such an inhumane action and offers suffrages for their eternal rest. In these moments of shock and sadness, he also wants to extend his support and closeness to the many wounded, to their families, and to the whole of Colombian society.

The Holy Father once again condemns blind violence, which is a very grave offense to the Creator, and raises his prayer to the Lord to help persevere in the construction of harmony and peace in that country and throughout the world.

With these desires, His Holiness invokes the Apostolic Blessing upon all the victims, their families, and the beloved people of Colombia.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State of His Holiness