POPE FRANCIS
ON THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN
After the Regina Caeli, the Holy Father prayed for the victims of the terrorist attack on Sunday in Lahore, Pakistan, in which more than 70 people were killed:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
yesterday, in central Pakistan, Holy Easter was bloodied by an abominable attack, that caused the slaughter of many innocent people, for the most part families of the Christian minority — especially women and children — gathered in a public park to celebrate in the joy of the Easter festivities. I wish to express my closeness to all those affected by this cowardly and senseless crime, and I ask you to pray to the Lord for the numerous victims and their loved ones. I APPEAL TO THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES AND TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF [PAKISTAN] TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO RESTORE SECURITY AND PEACE TO THE POPULATION AND, IN PARTICULAR, TO THE MOST VULNERABLE RELIGIOUS MINORITIES. I REPEAT, ONCE AGAIN, THAT VIOLENCE AND MURDEROUS HATRED LEAD ONLY TO PAIN AND DESTRUCTION; RESPECT AND FRATERNITY ARE THE ONLY WAY TO ACHIEVE PEACE. MAY THE LORD’S PASCAL MYSTERY INSPIRE IN US, IN AN EVEN MORE POWERFUL WAY, PRAYERS TO GOD TO STOP THE HANDS OF THE VIOLENT, WHO SPREAD TERROR AND DEATH; AND MAY FOR LOVE, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION TO REIGN IN THE WORLD. LET US ALL PRAY FOR THE THOSE WHO DIED IN THIS ATTACK, FOR THEIR FAMILIES, FOR CHRISTIAN AND ETHNIC MINORITIES IN THAT NATION. Hail Mary…
In the continuing atmosphere of Easter, I cordially greet you all, pilgrims coming from Italy and other parts of the world to take part in this moment of prayer. And always remember that beautiful expression from the Liturgy: “CHRIST MY HOPE IS ARISEN!”. Let us say it three times together. Christ my hope is arisen!
I hope that each of you is joyfully and peacefully living this Week in which the joy of Christ’s Resurrection continues. IN ORDER TO LIVE THIS PERIOD MORE INTENSELY IT WOULD DO US GOOD EVERY DAY TO READ A PASSAGE FROM THE GOSPEL WHICH SPEAKS OF THE RESURRECTION. YOU CAN READ A GOSPEL PASSAGE IN FIVE MINUTES, NO MORE. REMEMBER THIS!
A happy and holy Easter to you all! Please, don’t forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch.Arrivederci!
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SOURCE: http://www.news.va/en/news/during-easter-celebrations-the-pope-remembers-the
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