Before departing on his trip to Asia from Rome, Pope Francis asked for prayers for the more than 300 victims of the terrorist attack in Egypt, the worst in the country's history.
POPE FRANCIS
“Those people were praying in that moment. We also pray in silence for them.”
The region where the attack took place has been in a state of emergency since 2014.
The pope called it a “massacre.” At least 27 of the victims were children. A group affiliated with the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.
POPE FRANCIS
“The news of the massacre that occurred in a mosque in North Sinai, Egypt, has greatly hurt us. I will continue to pray for the numerous victims, for the injured and for that whole community, so severely affected. May God free us from these tragedies and sustain the strength of all those who work for peace, harmony and coexistence.”
After finishing the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis also asked for prayers for his trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh. He will return to Rome late on Saturday, December 2.
