Vatican City, Nov 7, 2017 / 06:15 am
On Tuesday, Pope Francis voiced his sorrow after 26 people were killed at a Baptist church in Texas over the weekend, offering his support and praying that such acts of meaningless violence would come to an end.
In a Nov. 7 telegram signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis said he was "deeply grieved by news of the loss of life and grave injuries" caused in Sunday's shooting at a Baptist church in Texas.
Francis condemned the "senseless violence" and offered his "heartfelt condolences" to the families of the victims and wounded, members of the congregation and the local community.
He closed the letter, addressed to Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, Archbishop of San Antonio, by praying that the Lord would "console all who mourn and to grant them the spiritual strength that triumphs over violence and hatred by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love."