This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/pope-decries-vile-bombing-in-pakistani-park-on-easter/2016/03/28/a75bdcce-f4d4-11e5-958d-d038dac6e718_story.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Pope decries vile bombing in Pakistani park on Easter Pope decries vile bombing in Pakistani park on Easter
(35 minutes later)
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is decrying what he calls the vile and abominable Easter Sunday bombing in a Pakistani park targeting Christians, and is insisting religious minorities be protected. VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Monday denounced the “vile and senseless” bombing in a Pakistani park targeting Christian families celebrating Easter and pressed for protection for religious minorities in the largely Muslim nation.
Francis told faithful in St. Peter’s Square Monday that most of those who died were minority Christian families celebrating Easter — although authorities later said most victims identified so far are Muslim. “Easter Sunday was bloodied by an abominable attack that massacred so many innocent people, for the most part families of the Christian minority, especially women and children, gathered in a public park to joyfully pass the Easter holiday,” Francis solemnly told faithful in St. Peter’s Square.
Authorities said Muslims and Christians were among the 70 victims. Later, Pakistani authorities said most victims identified so far were Muslim. They said Christians also were among the 70 victims.
Francis is calling on authorities in Pakistan to “make every effort to restore security and serenity” to Pakistanis, particularly religious minorities in the largely Muslim Asian nation. Francis has repeatedly spoken passionately about the suffering of Christians in the Middle East, Africa and Asia targeted by Islamic extremists. Just last week, in a Good Friday service, Francis criticized what he called “cowardly silence” toward the persecution and killing of Christians.
He also said violence and murderous hate only lead to sorrow and destruction and that respect and brotherhood are the only path to reach peace. Francis on Monday pointedly called for improved security for religious minorities and asked those present to pray for the victims.
As he has done frequently after deadly extremists attacks in Europe and elsewhere in recent months, the pope insisted that “violence and murderous hate lead only to sorrow and destruction.” Instead, “respect and brotherhood are the only path to achieve peace.”
Francis invited prayers for an end to the actions of “violent persons, who sow terror and death.”
Frances D’Emilio is on twitter at www.twitter.com/fdemilio
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.