VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis this evening sent a telegram to President Al Sisi of Egypt, following today’s terrorist attack which killed 28 Coptic Christians, and wounded 25 others, as they were traveling to a pilgrimage site in central Egypt.
Witnesses say that 8-10 masked men wearing military uniforms stopped a bus and two other vehicles as they drove along a road leading to the monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor in Minya province, about 140 miles south of Cairo. They then opened fire.
The attack comes less that one month after Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Egypt, to promote peace and reconciliation.
Here is the telegram sent on the pope’s behalf by the Vatican Secretary of State.
His Excellency Abdel Fattah Al Sisi
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Cairo
Deeply saddened to learn of the barbaric attack in central Egypt and of the tragic loss of life and injury caused by this senseless act of hatred, Pope Francis expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this violent outrage. Mindful in a particular way of those children who have lost their lives, His Holiness commends the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty. He assures their grieving families and all who have been injured of his ardent prayers, and he pledges his continued intercession for peace and reconciliation throughout the nation.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
And today we celebrate...