By Charles Igwe
During Holy Mass at the Vatican, Pope Francis expressed profound sorrow for the tragic terrorist attacks that targeted both a Catholic church and a Mosque in Burkina Faso. In a telegram conveyed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope reaffirmed his stance that hatred cannot resolve conflicts.
The attacks, which occurred during Sunday worship services, resulted in the deaths of 15 worshippers at a Catholic church in Essakane and an undisclosed number at a Mosque in Natiaboani. The Pope conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Bishop Laurent Dabiré, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Burkina Faso and Niger, and expressed solidarity with the grieving families.
Emphasizing the sanctity of sacred spaces, Pope Francis urged for the cessation of violence and the promotion of peace. He called upon all to respect places of worship and advocated for efforts to combat violence in order to uphold the values of peace.
The Holy Father concluded the telegram by invoking divine blessings upon the people of Burkina Faso and the entire nation, praying for the eternal rest of the deceased and the swift recovery of the injured.
