Vatican City, Apr 18, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Earlier today, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his "firmest condemnation" of Monday's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, praying that relations between Israelis and Palestinians would not take a "tragic turn,” but rather, that the two sides will once again take the steps that will allow for peace and security.
The Pontiff continued his message, stressing that even the "legitimate" rights of the Palestinians could not justify such attacks. The attack on a crowded fast food restaurant--said to be the deadliest in 20 months--killed nine people.
Benedict made the comments at the end of his weekly general audience, which fell on the first anniversary of his election as pontiff.
He added that he is continually praying that the two sides will make substantial efforts to “live in peace and security, one next to the other, as children of the same father in heaven."