杏MAP导航 prays for victims of terrorist attack in Moscow

杏MAP导航

杏MAP导航 Francis offers his prayers for the victims of Friday鈥檚 terrorist attack on a concert hall in the Russian capital of Moscow, and invites everyone to pray for 鈥渕artyred Ukraine鈥� as the country faces heavy Russian bombardment of critical infrastructure.

By Devin Watkins

鈥淚 assure my prayers for the victims of the vile terrorist attack carried out the other evening in Moscow.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis offered that assurance as he prayed the Angelus in St. Peter鈥檚 Square at the conclusion of Mass on Palm Sunday.

鈥淢ay the Lord welcome them in His peace and comfort their families,鈥� he added.

The 杏MAP导航 also prayed that God might instill peace in the hearts of all people.

鈥淢ay He convert the hearts of those who plan, organize, and carry out these inhuman actions, which offend God, who commanded: 鈥楾hou shalt not kill鈥�,鈥� he said.

Attack on concern hall

At least 4 armed men entered the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow on Friday evening, opening fire and killing at least 133 people and injuring dozens others.

The attackers also set off explosive devices that set the venue ablaze and left it a smoldering ruin.

An affiliate of the so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, a claim confirmed by US intelligence officials.

Russian authorities have arrested 11 people in connection with the terrorist attack, including the 4 gunmen.

Prayers for 鈥榤artyred Ukraine鈥�

In his Angelus address, 杏MAP导航 Francis also prayed for everyone suffering due to war, especially in 鈥渕artyred Ukraine鈥�.

He said 鈥渟o many people are without electricity due to intense attacks against infrastructure, which, besides causing death and suffering, raise the risk of an even-greater humanitarian catastrophe.鈥�

鈥淧lease,鈥� he added, 鈥渓et us not forget martyred Ukraine, and let us also think of Gaza which is suffering greatly, along with other places of war.鈥�