Pope’s sorrow over attacks on Iraqi Christians

(May 4, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday expressed sadness over Sunday’s bombing attacks on Christians near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. At least four people died and more than 170 were injured when three buses carrying Christian university students from the village of Qaraqosh to a university in Mosul were were struck by a roadside explosion followed by a car bombing. Some of the victims included bystanders. Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent a message on the Pope’s behalf to Syrian-rite Archbishop Basile Casmoussa of Mosul. “Deeply saddened by the news of the tragic loss of life and injuries caused by the recent bomb attack near Mosul, the Holy Father asks you to convey his heartfelt condolences to those affected by this crime and to their families,” Cardinal Bertone wrote. He said the Holy Father reaffirmed his spiritual closeness to the Christian communities of Iraq and renewed his appeal to all men and women of good will to hold steadfast to the ways of peace and to repudiate all acts of violence which have caused so much suffering.