Vatican City, Dec 20, 2016 / 06:44 am
What are being called two major acts of terrorism in just the past 24 hours have prompted Pope Francis to again beg for an even stronger commitment to putting such bloody attacks, which have marred many parts of the world over the past 18 months, to an end.
"Pope Francis unites to all men and women of good will who commit so that the homicidal madness of terrorism no longer finds space in our world," a Dec. 20 telegram from the Vatican read.
"In this sense, His Holiness implores God the merciful Father for consolation, protection and his comforting blessing."
The note, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was addressed to Berlin Archbishop Heiner Koch after an apparent terrorist attack yesterday left 12 dead and 48 wounded.