Pope condemned attacks in Sri Lanka | In his me …

Pope Francis condemned the eight attacks in Sri Lanka that caused a commotion amidst Easter celebrations. "I have learned with sadness the news of serious attacks that, even today, on Easter Day, have caused grief and pain to several churches and other meeting places in Sri Lanka", Pope Francis underlined in St Peter's Basilica in front of a crowd of 70,000 people, just after the traditional blessing Urbi and Orbi (in Rome and around the world).

More than 200 people, including dozens of strangers, were killed Sunday in a wave of explosions in luxury hotels and churches in Sri Lanka, where Easter Mbad was being held. Condolences and calls for the defense of religious freedom came from all over the world.

The pope went to the island of Sri Lanka in January 2015, while defending religious freedom in his sermon, in a country marked by ethnic and inter-religious tensions. After the attacks, Francisco expressed his "loving attachment to the Christian community, beaten while he was gathered and praying, as well as to all the victims of such cruel violence". "I entrust to the Lord all those who died tragically, and I pray for the wounded and those who suffer because of this dramatic event," Francisco concluded from the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica.

In the morning, the pope presided at Easter Mbad on St. Peter's Square – the most important liturgical moment of the Christian tradition, evoking the resurrection of Christ – before greeting the crowd. At noon, from the loggia of the basilica, he delivered his Easter speech.

In his message, Francisco also highlighted the situation of civilians in conflict zones such as Libya, Syria or South Sudan. "Let the weapons stop the bloodshed in Libya, where in recent weeks defenseless people are dying and many families are forced to leave their homes," said the pope, praying to opt for "a dialogue instead of oppression ""