Vatican City, Jan 25, 2011 / 10:10 am
Pope Benedict XVI strongly condemned the Jan. 24 terrorist attack at a Moscow airport, which took the lives of 35 people. He also sent his deep condolences to the families of the victims.
The Pope joined with the Russian people and others mourning the loss of their loved ones by sending a telegram to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin declared Wednesday, Jan. 26 to be a day of mourning for the city.
The telegram, sent by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in the Pope's name, said that the attack has caused Pope Benedict “profound suffering” and that he firmly condemns this “serious act of violence.”
The Pope asked Medvedev “to transmit his sentiments of spiritual closeness and deep condolences” to the relatives of the 35 people who were killed and 180 who were injured in what authorities believe to be a terrorist attack by Islamic separatists at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport.