Pope’s shock and sadness at US shooting, Zanzibar ferry disaster

Pope Benedict XVI also said he was “deeply shocked by the senseless violence” carried out by a 24-year old gunman who injured 58 people and claimed the lives of 12 when he attacked movie goers at a cinema in Denver, Colorado, in the United States on Friday. “I share the distress of the families and friends of the victims and the injured, especially the children,” the Holy Father said assuring all of his closeness in prayer. He imparted his blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the risen Lord. The lethal attack occurred at a midnight showing of the new Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises” at the Century 16 theatre in Aurora, an eastern suburb of Denver. The Pope also expressed sadness at the loss of life in a recent ferry disaster near Zanzibar. At least 71 people were killed when the ferry carrying 290 passengers sank on July 18 on its way to Zanzibar from mainland Tanzania. “I share the distress of the families and friends of the victims and the injured, especially the children,” the Pope said. He assured all of his closeness in prayer, and imparted on them his blessing “as a pledge of consolation and strength in the risen Lord.”