Pope Benedict XVI strongly condemned the Jan. 24 terrorist attack at a
Moscow airport, which took the lives of 35 people.
He also sent his
deep condolences to the families of the victims.
The Pope joined
with the Russian people and others mourning the loss of their loved ones
by sending a telegram to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
In Moscow,
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin declared Wednesday, Jan. 26 to be a day of
mourning for the city.
The telegram, sent by Vatican Secretary of
State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in the Pope's name, said that the attack
has caused Pope Benedict “profound suffering” and that he firmly
condemns this “serious act of violence.”
The Pope asked Medvedev
“to transmit his sentiments of spiritual closeness and deep condolences”
to the relatives of the 35 people who were killed and 180 who were
injured in what authorities believe to be a terrorist attack by Islamic
separatists at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport.
Pope Benedict prayed
to God that He would give “heavenly comfort" to those mourning
the tragic loss of their loved ones and to those who were injured.
The
bombing targeted the international terminal of the airport, which had
just received several flights from Europe 30 minutes before the
explosion.
Authorities suspect the attack was carried out by
separatists from the Chechnya region, who have vowed to bring their
fight from the North Caucasus to Russia's heartland as the 2012
presidential elections approach.
No group has come forward to claim responsibility for the bombing.
SIC: CNA/INT'L