Pope prays to 'convert hearts' of Islamic State extremists
During his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square, the pontiff prayed for "eternal rest to the victims"
Pope Francis attends a prayer calling for peace in Syria, in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican. PHOTO: REUTERS
VATICAN CITY:
Pope Francis on Wednesday asked God to "convert the hearts of those who sow death and destruction" following a series of deadly attacks by the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria.
Pope and top imam embrace in historic Vatican meeting
During his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square, the pontiff prayed for "eternal rest to the victims" and "consolation to their relatives" after suicide attacks in the regime's coastal heartland that killed more than 150 people on Monday.
Francis said almost all the victims of the seven explosions targeting bus stations, hospitals and other civilian sites in the seaside cities of Jableh and Tartus were "unarmed civilians". Eight of them were children.
Pope criticises West for trying to export own brand of democracy to Iraq, Libya
More than 300 people were wounded in the attacks on strongholds of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Islamic State claimed the blasts in a statement, saying they were in retaliation for Syrian regime and Russian air strikes against extremists.
Pope Francis on Wednesday asked God to "convert the hearts of those who sow death and destruction" following a series of deadly attacks by the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria.
Pope and top imam embrace in historic Vatican meeting
During his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square, the pontiff prayed for "eternal rest to the victims" and "consolation to their relatives" after suicide attacks in the regime's coastal heartland that killed more than 150 people on Monday.
Francis said almost all the victims of the seven explosions targeting bus stations, hospitals and other civilian sites in the seaside cities of Jableh and Tartus were "unarmed civilians". Eight of them were children.
Pope criticises West for trying to export own brand of democracy to Iraq, Libya
More than 300 people were wounded in the attacks on strongholds of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Islamic State claimed the blasts in a statement, saying they were in retaliation for Syrian regime and Russian air strikes against extremists.