Pope Francis condemns Paris attack

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has decried the deadly attack on a Paris-based journalistic outlet on Wednesday morning, expressing his “firm condemnation” of “the horrible attack” that saw a dozen people killed, and offering prayers for the victims and their families.

The Holy Father’s remarks came through a statement issued by the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ late Wednesday,  which says the attack on the staff and offices of the satirical review Charlie Hebdo, “profoundly disturb[s] all peace-loving persons far beyond the confines of Paris,” and that such violence is never justifiable. The statement goes on to call on all people everywhere to oppose the spreading of hatred and every form of violence.

The statement concludes with expressions of the Holy Father’s spiritual closeness, solidarity and support for all those who work for peace, justice and right, as well as all those who seek “to [bring] deep healing to the springs and causes of hate, in this painful and dramatic moment in France, and in every part of the world marked by tensions and violence.”

Below, please find Vatican Radio’s English translation of the Statement from the Press Office of the Holy See.

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Statement by the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See

The Holy Father expresses the strongest condemnation for the horrific attack that marred the city of Paris with a high number of victims [Wednesday] morning, sowing death, throwing into dismay the whole of French society, [and] deeply disturbing all peace-loving people, far beyond the borders of France.

Pope Francis participates in prayer for the sufferings of the wounded and the for families of the dead. He calls upon all to oppose by all means the spread of hatred and of all forms of violence, physical and moral, which destroy human life, which violate the dignity of people, which radically undermines the fundamental good of peaceful coexistence between individuals and peoples regardless of their differences of nationality, religion and culture.

Whatever may be the motivation, homicidal violence is abominable. It is never justifiable. The life and dignity of all are to be guaranteed and protected with decision. Every incitement to hatred should be refuted. Respect must be cultivated.

The Pope expresses his closeness, his spiritual solidarity and support for all those who, according to their different responsibilities, continue to work consistently for peace, justice and right, to heal at their depths the sources and causes of hatred, at this moment painful and dramatic, in France and in every part of the world marked by tensions and violence.