Pope condemns bloodshed in Burkina Faso and calls for peace

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis expressed grief for a “tragic terrorist attack” on Sunday during Holy Mass at a Catholic church and for an attack perpetrated against a Mosque in Burkina Faso as Muslim worshipers gathered for morning prayers.

In a telegram sent on his behalf by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope reiterated his firm belief that “hatred is not the solution to conflicts.”

The Pope‘s words of closeness come as the Christian community in the West African nation was shattered by the violent massacre of 15 worshippers in a Catholic church in Essakane, in the far north of the country, last Sunday.

A second attack took place at a Mosque in Natiaboani in eastern Burkina Faso in which dozens were killed on the same day.  

In a telegram addressed to Bishop Laurent Dabiré, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Burkina Faso and Niger, the Pope said he was deeply for the loss of human life caused by the attacks and joins in the mourning of the families.

He said he prays for the repose of the deceased, “entrusting them to God's mercy, and for the healing of the injured.”

And recalling that “hatred is not the solution to conflicts,” the Pope asked for respect for sacred places and called for “the fight against violence in order to promote the values of peace.”

The Holy Father’s telegram concluded with the invocation of divine blessings for the sons and daughters of Burkina Faso, and the nation as a whole.