Vatican City, Mar 14, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul II offered the Angelus Sunday for the country of Spain and reiterated his condemnation of the “horrendous” terrorist attacks last Thursday in Madrid that left 200 dead and over 1,400 injured.
The Pope pointed out that the liturgy of this past Sunday “makes reference to two tragic events in history during the time of Jesus: the cruel repression of a revolt and the falling of the tower of Siloé on a large crowd.” This “makes us think of our own days, disgracefully characterized by repeated news of violence and death.”
Likewise, he recalled that during the previous Sunday’s liturgy he had commented on the armed conflicts and “terrorist attacks which are bloodying various parts of the world.”
“Last Thursday the dramatic attacks in Madrid took place, taking the lives of 200 victims and leaving more than 1,000 wounded. The horrendous crime has stirred up international public opinion. In the face of such barbarity, one is left profoundly disturbed, and we wonder how it is possible that the human spirit can conceive such appalling felonies,” the Pope said.