Pope prays after attack on synagogue in Germany

By Vatican News

Two people died and several bystanders were injured in the attack, which took place on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.

The gunman has been identified as a 27-year old neo-Nazi who attempted to break into the synagogue which was filled with over 70 people, including children. Alerted by the sound of gunfire, a group of worshippers managed to barricade the door in time, and to avoid what could have been a bloodbath.

The German Minister of the Interior has confirmed the “anti-Semitic” motivations for the attack, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended a memorial vigil for the victims in Berlin.

The European Parliament in Brussels stopped to hold a minute’s silence, while political and religious leaders called for renewed efforts to resist the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe.

In the Vatican, before concluding the day’s work at the Synod on the Amazon, Pope Francis prayed for the victims and their families.

Earlier this week, the Pope sent a message of good wishes to the Jewish Community of Rome for the feats of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.