Pope, Moscow massacre: 'Inhuman actions that offend God'

Francis spoke in a strained voice at the end of the Palm Sunday celebration, after skipping the reading of the homily. The one in Moscow is a 'cowardly terrorist attack', praying for the victims . On Ukraine: 'Risk of a humanitarian catastrophe'. 

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - About 60 thousand faithful were present in St Peter's Square this morning to attend the celebration of Palm Sunday and the Passion of the Lord, and the recitation of the Angelus prayer, led by Pope Francis.

"I assure my prayers for the victims of the cowardly terrorist attack carried out last night in Moscow," the Holy Father said before the final greetings in reference to the attack on Crocus City Hall, a concert hall in the suburbs, which left more than 130 dead.  

"May the Lord receive them in his peace," the Pontiff continued, speaking of the victims, "and comfort their families."

Immediately condemning those responsible for the massacre - which was followed by the claim by the group ISIS-K, a branch of the Islamic State, Khorasan section, considered reliable by many observers - he asked that the Lord "convert the hearts of those who plan, organise and carry out these inhuman actions, which offend God", recalling that the latter commanded "Thou shalt not kill" (Ex 20:13). President Vladimir Putin also intervened on the tragedy yesterday afternoon in a speech to the nation, calling it a 'barbaric terrorist attack' and announcing a day of national mourning for today.

Referring to the Word of the Day, the Passion according to the evangelist Mark (Mk 14:1-15:47), which tells of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem "as a humble and peace-loving King", Bergoglio extended an invitation to those listening for the start of Holy Week: "Let us open our hearts to Him! Only He can free us from enmity, hatred, violence, because He is the mercy and forgiveness of sins".

In this way it is possible to welcome peace, renouncing conflicts - internal and otherwise - that cause death and suffering.

"Let us pray for all our brothers and sisters who suffer because of war," he added. A special thought was then dedicated to the 'tormented Ukraine', the target in recent days of a targeted attack on energy infrastructure - one million people were left without electricity, seven regions affected. These intense attacks - supported by the change of tone of the Russian Federation, which has begun to speak of the conflict in Ukraine as a "war" - "in addition to causing death and suffering, carry the risk of an even greater humanitarian catastrophe," said the Bishop of Rome.

He added: "Please, let us not forget the tormented Ukraine!". Finally, an invitation also to remember "Gaza, which is suffering so much, and so many other places of war," he added. 

At the beginning of the commentary that accompanied the Angelus, Bergoglio also expressed his closeness to the San Josè de Apartado Community, in Colombia, "where a few days ago (Tuesday 19 March, ed.) a young woman and a young man were murdered," he reported. The murder of Nayeli Sepulveda, 30, and Edison David, 15, takes place within a Community that "in 2018 was awarded as an example of commitment to solidarity economy, peace and human rights," the Holy Father explained. 

During the Sunday celebration, the Gospel reading was followed by a few minutes of silence. Pope Francis, who was shown to have a fatigued voice, did not read the homily. The Mass then continued with the recitation of the Creed.

The moment dedicated to the Marian prayer was concluded by the Holy Father with these words: "And now we turn in prayer to the Virgin Mary: let us learn from her how to stay close to Jesus during the days of Holy Week, in order to arrive at the joy of the Resurrection".