Pope expresses concern over attacks against Christians in Nigeria
(June 20, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI during his weekly general audience on Wednesday,
expressed deep concern for the terrorist attacks against Christians in Nigeria. Addressing
some eight thousand pilgrims and tourists in Vatican’s Pope Paul VI Audience Hall,
the Holy Father said he was following with deep concern the news coming from Nigeria,
where terrorist attacks directed mainly against Christians continue. The Pope
said “ I am praying for the victims and for those who suffer, and I call upon the
perpetrators of violence, to immediately stop the bloodshed of innocent people.” The
Pope also hoped for the full cooperation of all sectors of society in Nigeria not
to pursue the path of vengeance. The Pope concluded his appeal calling on all the
citizens of Nigeria to cooperate in building a peaceful and reconciled society,
where the rights of everyone to freely profess their faith is protected. A radical
Islamist sect unleashed multiple attacks in north-eastern Nigeria, killing at least
25 people, authorities said on Tuesday, as fears swelled about the government’s inability
to stop rising sectarian violence.