.- Following Sunday’s noontime Angelus prayer held near his vacation chalet of Les Combes in Italy's Valle d'Aosta, Pope Benedict led nearly 8,000 pilgrims in praying that God would “block the murderous hand” of terrorists and convert their hearts. In light of the recent attacks on London, and Saturday morning’s bombing of an Egyptian resort town, in addition to troubles in Iraq and Turkey, the Holy Father said that, "Even these days of serenity and repose have been disrupted by the tragic news of the execrable terrorist attacks which have brought death, destruction and suffering to various countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Iraq and Great Britain.”
He continued: “As we entrust to divine goodness the dead and injured and their loved ones, victims of gestures that offend both God and man, we call on the Almighty to block the murderous hand of those who, driven by fanaticism and hatred, committed these acts, and we ask that He convert their hearts to thoughts of reconciliation and peace."
