Pope condemns wave of 'abominable terrorist attacks'

Published: 2005-07-25

LES COMBES, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI decried a wave of "abominable terrorist attacks" in Egypt, Turkey, Iraq and Britain and called on God to convert the hearts of those responsible for the bloodshed. Such violent attacks "offend God and humanity," the pope said after praying the Angelus July 24 from the Alpine retreat where he was vacationing. May "God stay the murderous hand" of the terrorists who are driven by "fanaticism and hatred" and may he "convert their hearts" to the ideals of reconciliation and peace, he said. Bomb blasts July 23 at the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh were the latest in a string of terrorist attacks to hit Europe and the Middle East. The predawn explosions in Egypt left at least 88 people dead, according to reports from local hospitals. Upon hearing the news of the Red Sea resort-town blast, Pope Benedict expressed his "heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims" in a telegram sent July 23 to local church and government authorities.

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