Pope Benedict XVI has decried Thursday’s string of bombings that struck
central London as “barbaric acts against humanity” and said his prayers
were with victims and their families. The Pope said he was offering
“fervent prayers” for all those affected by the explosions that hit
London’s Underground and bus system. In a telegram sent by the
Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, to Cardinal
Cormac Murphy-O’Connor of Westminster, Pope Benedict said his thoughts
and prayers were with the victims, families of the injured and “all
those who mourn”. The Pope invoked “the consolation that only God can
give in such circumstances” to all the people of Great Britain. He
asked the cardinal “to convey to the families of the injured his
spiritual closeness at this time of grief”. Meanwhile, fresh from a
private audience with Pope Benedict, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
condemned the London attacks as “a black mark on society”. He was told
of the emergency as he was leaving the Vatican after his audience with
the Pope. “What does this all serve, killing innocent people who are
probably on holidays, going shopping?” he told reporters shortly after
the blasts. “This is terrorism and violence perpetrated against
ordinary people” and as such represents “a black mark on society,” he
said.
Late Thursday (London time) officials said at least 37 people were
killed and hundreds were injured.
CNS
