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VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis told the faithful in St. Peter's Square that he was pained by the news of two terror attacks against churches in Pakistan and called for an end of persecution against Christians.
The pontiff said during his traditional Sunday prayer that the numerous dead and injured were persecuted “only because they are Christians”.
Pope Francis said he felt great pain over bomb attacks outside two churches in Pakistan, departing from scripted remarks in his customary address to decry “persecution” of Christians.
“These are Christian churches. Christians are persecuted, our brothers spill their blood simply because they are Christians,” the pontiff said after his Angelus address.
Also read: 15 killed in Taliban attack on Lahore churches
Francis told crowds at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican that he prayed for peace in the country and that “this persecution of Christians, and that the world tries to hide it, finishes”.
The pontiff spoke after suicide bombers exploded themselves near two churches in Lahore on Sunday as worshippers were gathered inside. At least 14 people were killed in the blasts, claimed by a Pakistani Taliban splinter group, and nearly 80 people got injured.
Francis said he was praying for the victims and their families and that he “implored God, the source of all good, the gift of peace...for that country, and that this persecution against Christians, that the world tries to hide, ends.”
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Mar 15, 2015 05:29pm
very quick response . They are more dear to us as Pakistanis . To terrorists they were just Pakistanis nothing more than that .
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Mar 15, 2015 05:30pm
How about calling upon US and Israel to stop Genocide of Muslims all over the world?????
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Mar 15, 2015 05:40pm
I really feel sorry for all people who got killed! This is what relegion has given to us all! Plz give up relegious terrorism!
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Mar 15, 2015 05:40pm
Dear Pope!
Please speak for us SHIAS as well! We are being persecuted as well!
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Mar 15, 2015 05:42pm
World is never going to progress until relegious extremism is going to be ended. Relegion should be for humanity, humanity is not for relegion.
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Mar 15, 2015 05:42pm
Yes Pakistan should stop harassing Christians
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Mar 15, 2015 05:47pm
the bombing of christian churches is a heinous act and must rightly be condemned but it would be fitting for the pontiff to also condemn france's anti muslim laws such as banning muslim women from wearing scarfs etc
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Mar 15, 2015 05:52pm
.......and his call will fall on deaf ears.
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Mar 15, 2015 05:54pm
While it is a failure of Pakistan law enforcement agencies, we have to keep in mind an onslaught by an aggressive neighboring country on Pakistan.
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Mar 15, 2015 05:58pm
@apoorva Only Pakistan? or India as well?
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Mar 15, 2015 05:58pm
@Hamza What is happening in Pakistan is not persecution because government is not involved in it. It is a crime. Pakistan society, being a Sunni Muslim dominated one, fails to raise a strong enough voice. But trust me the whole society is sick and tired of someone after its very basic principle of coexistence of all sorts of people. It is about time to unite and crush our enemy that receives a liberal foreign funding.
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Mar 15, 2015 05:58pm
@Shiraz Stop your lies. How about muslims committing genocide of Hindu?
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Mar 15, 2015 06:01pm
@Shiraz : No an apt response Shiraz. We, as Pakistanis are responsible for protecting our Pakistanis brothers, our minorities no matter what happens worldwide.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:05pm
Pope has simply forgot to condemn the two possibly innocent people who were burnt alive by the aggrieved mob. This incident is even bigger crime.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:06pm
Pakistan will not rest till it becomea pure.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:07pm
@Shiraz Have you ever heard a pope Paul like figure in Islam ever raised their voices against the killing of the innocents...Pal that is the difference.... wrong is wrong who so ever does it... at least one should have the courage...
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Mar 15, 2015 06:07pm
Pope-thank you for the tip. How come no one else ever thought of making the call to end this? Can u please also make a call for end to all terrorist acts around the world. I am getting really tired of all this nonsense.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:10pm
Christian’s community is living in our hearts and equally participating in Pakistan progress. Attack on Christians, Hindus or any other religion followers mean attack on Pakistan regardless of religion. Terrorist are killing Muslims every day in Pakistan and other territory of the world including USA but Pope is not making any statement. Surprise to see such statement; he should make statement for killing of any human all over the world.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:15pm
@Shiraz You are right...this is a competition, more such blasts are needed...NOT
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Mar 15, 2015 06:23pm
What about Pakistani Muslims who are facing worst than Christianity Even in India is more worst!
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Mar 15, 2015 06:24pm
Sad news indeed. But Christians are not the only victims in Pakistan. Shia community gets targetted more frequently. Also Not to the forget school attack which left many children dead. Everyone living in Pakistan is suffering. We can't provide special security to one community. People should unite and fight together rather than counting their own death tolls or proving that they are the real victims.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:29pm
Our thoughts and prayers for the victims of attacks on two Churches in Yahunabad, a Christian colony near Lahore. We condemn this brutal action. We also condemn the beating to cops by the mob there.
It is really unfortunate that the Christians burned alive two suspects. If they were involved, they should have been interrogated by law enforcement agencies. If they were innocent, then two more innocent lives have been lost.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:31pm
@mohammad shafique yeah right when people are being massacred you speak of fashion
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Mar 15, 2015 06:31pm
@Shiraz How about not justifying or downplaying murder based on the actions of third parties? How about remembering who killed Muslim children in Peshawar?
The enemy is intolerance and a blithe disregard for the rights of others. Not these people, not the countless victims of political islam and western foreign policy.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:32pm
@Syed Sajid Pakistan ka matlab kya....?
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Mar 15, 2015 06:41pm
@Syed Sajid ..........Surprise to see such statement; he should make statement for killing of any human all over the world...............
have you heard, ever, muslim clerics of any kind, from any country denouncing any of the crimes and acts of terrorism commited against non-muslims repeatedly?? I cannot recall, so why should only Pope talk of humanity. Infact right now I dont see a voice from a major Muslim organisations denouncing waht happened.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:42pm
@Hamza: In India, safety is the last thing on our minds when we visit a church. The thought has never entered my mind even once that I could be blown to pieces just for attending a mass. There are no security guards outside churches, let alone policemen. Churches are generally open 24 hours and since I usually prefer to go at odd hours, there is hardly anyone there and yet no one is bothered. We celebrate our religious occasions freely and get along very well with Indians of all hues.
Please do not compare India with Pakistan, especially after the twin bomb blasts. Not only does your post exhibit a poor tendency to deflect a problem, but it also makes light of a grievous incident.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:42pm
Pope Fransis had every right to condemn the killing of innocent Pakistani Christians. However, the target of twisted ideology is not just Christians; these barbarian killed APS Peshawer students without discriminating their beliefs. It is important that victims must be compensated generously by the authorities.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:42pm
The pope is the spiritual leader of catholics.Why should he talk about shias,hindus and sunnis being killed? Also the Objectives resolution ,the blasphemy laws make minoritities second class citizens which is sanctioned by the government .
Even school text nothing but have nothing but contempt for others, To cap it all
even minorities have to learn Islamiyat in school
And people want the pope to speak for everyone . What double standards.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:43pm
@Hamza ask Iran to interfere
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Mar 15, 2015 06:44pm
@Parvez in Pakistan
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Mar 15, 2015 06:46pm
@Syed Sajid he is not your neighbourhood police inspector.get a life!
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Mar 15, 2015 06:47pm
@apoorva "Yes Pakistan should stop harassing Christians" Pakistan is not harassing Christians. Taliban are killing Pakistanis. None of the massacred school kids in Peshawer were Christian. We are all victims and stand united.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:47pm
@Ahtesham first take care if yours. then have the guts to opine about others.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:49pm
@Asif when you created the monster,did you ever thought about it twice??
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Mar 15, 2015 06:51pm
persecution against Christians is one of the parts persecution against humanity. Pak is a Muslim dominated country but Muslims are not safe here, let alone Cristians
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Mar 15, 2015 06:59pm
The president of the Pontifical Commission of the Vatican should officially protest to the government of Pakistan on behalf of the Pope for continued murder of Christians in Pakistan and failing to arrest the culprits.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:02pm
the whole nation is a target not a single group, community or religion. So stop separating yourself and make it sound like every other ethnic group is living like kings. A bomb does not see who is muslim, hindu, christian etc... They are terrorist period.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:02pm
@Hamza only Pakistan...Minorities are safe in India
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Mar 15, 2015 07:06pm
Surprisingly the then pope in 2008 never spoke against christian genocide in endia, karnataka ,2008.
Anyways i love my pakistani christians as i am someone who has eaten, drink , with hindus ,christians, ahmadis etc and even hindu endians but they werent annoying like ones here.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:08pm
@Shiraz - Silly to point fingers at others at this juncture!
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Mar 15, 2015 07:29pm
@apoorva Stop living in delusion, only in Orissa state more than 500 Christians were killed in 2008, mostly burnt alive. Google search 'Orissa Christian killings'.
This is a terrorist attack and not about minorities and Christians.
What about the APS attack in Peshawar on young school boys. Terrorism has no ethnicity, religion, and nationality. They are simply paid mercenaries, indoctrinated and used by other bigger players.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:29pm
@mohammad shafique .. Killing & wearing scarf is different... They can choose to come back to their original country..
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Mar 15, 2015 07:30pm
Its unfortunate that people here condemning Pope..
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Mar 15, 2015 07:33pm
I am sure people of Pakistan will not come out to protest the killing, burning the effigy, chanting slogans against the terrorists etc as they do against India, USA, Israel and west.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:33pm
@Shamain: I live in Karnataka and was here even in 2008. What Christian genocide are you on about?
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Mar 15, 2015 07:38pm
@Shiraz very great idea Indeed ?? Do you think you can stop atrocities against Muslim around the world in this way ?????
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Mar 15, 2015 07:39pm
@GOGA Pehlwan nice hypocritical answer. To terrorists they are Christians in fact. This is a selective communal massacre.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:42pm
Bro. Indian citizens belongs all religions stand by you.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:44pm
@mohammad shafique you are the sensible guy. We need millions like you bro.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:47pm
@Hamza In india it is much less than even any other Christian countries. But there is always hue n cry even for a small incident. Stop the blame game.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:48pm
Pope has rightly condemned the blood bath of the Christians in the land of the pure Muslims. He has to be and rightly so concerned for his own community rather than transgressing the issue in favor of shias or others who are equally oppressed.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:51pm
@Ali (CA) Pope is doing his duty. But Pak police does not.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:59pm
@Ahtesham it is because the state is created in the name religion. Religion bigger over state attitude.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:59pm
@Shamain no goodness is left in papistan, this is the proof.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:02pm
@Paul You are right dear, no need to compare rape of a 75 years old lady with bomb blasts. You are really right and on right track.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:03pm
@Paul - we arevery sadenes by this terrorist act. However u nee to understand every place problems are different. In india just last decemberany were forcefully converted including muslims. What did not happen to u does not mean it did not happen. Please dont make this a muslim christian issue oher than taliban vs Pakistan. Pope statement is also unjustified. This is not persecution. Peace
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Mar 15, 2015 08:04pm
@Imran Very well said
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Mar 15, 2015 08:08pm
Their are reports that some peoples in minorities involve in such acts and some time use their own peoples to get the attention of international media and to raise their funds from international donors. What ever the factors or attention we have to identify peoples behind such barbaric act to bring peace in the world.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:10pm
@mohammad shafique "the bombing of christian churches is a heinous act and must rightly be condemned but it would be fitting for the pontiff to also condemn france's anti muslim laws such as banning muslim women from wearing scarfs etc"
What a fantabulous sense of proportion: The right to life equals the right to wear a scarf.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:15pm
More shame for pakistan
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Mar 15, 2015 08:16pm
@SANJEEV KUMAR YADAV - Not only they are already out protesting but due to anger, they are damaging property too. If any TV channel is accessible to you, you will notice it.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:17pm
@Shiraz is that a joke? Israel is simply defending itself and its muslims who are killing everyone around the world. Please stop playing the victim card all the time
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Mar 15, 2015 08:19pm
Dear Pope please don't waste your time with pakistan as the response will be what about Israel kashmir bla bla. Muslims will never stop the self pity
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Mar 15, 2015 08:19pm
Any one who feels persecuted or in other words is looking for a Citizenship, Please leave Pakistan. Many Thanks. Our pain, Our sorrows are together. we live die together. Do not try to look for Asylum & citizenship by mocking Pakistan . Many Thanks
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Mar 15, 2015 08:19pm
More Muslims are being killed in Pakistan by the same very people who have claimed responsibility for attacking churches. A war on all fronts is going on against these people.
Christains are like all other Pakistanis hence we, in Pakistan, feel sad for what happened today, however, it should not be given secretarian colour.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:21pm
@apoorva first tell your Indian government, the Nun was Raped yesterday
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Mar 15, 2015 08:26pm
@event horizon but these are the good terrorist of the estsnlishment
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Mar 15, 2015 08:27pm
Gajwa- e- Pakistan is very near.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:30pm
As an indian I am worried about innocent life... and Pakistan is doing to protect its citizen...
Pope shd refrain from giving it a religious color.... it was a terror attack and shd be condemned likewise.... it was NOT MUSLIM attacking christian.... as evident from pope speech....
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Mar 15, 2015 08:34pm
@Shiraz For your information the Vatican/Pope has condemned violence between Israel/Palestinians on a regular basis. As far as your comment on the USA that's just more anti American blather - long on blather and short on facts - next time the Serbs decide to slaughter Muslim's maybe Pakistan can step up to the plate.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:37pm
@Khizr : ya we know how well you are protecting them. Liar.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:44pm
Your holiness: Your concern is justified. The statement would have carried more weight and public support if few words would have been uttered for Muslims in Israel and Gaza.
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Mar 15, 2015 08:47pm
@Naseer : the culprits most likely belongs to pieceful community.
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Mar 15, 2015 09:13pm
I regret the use of word "persecution", which is used if carried out by the state. I am sure the venerable Pontiff would be fully aware of how many others get killed in such acts in Pakistan. Also known to most are the reasons why this madness is rife in that country. The state and the entire population is suffering. They are sacrificing a lot to get rid of this scourge.
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Mar 15, 2015 09:14pm
Believe me Pontiff, our hearts ache with pain as well. We are also victims of this fanaticism.
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Mar 15, 2015 09:23pm
Dear Pope, i would have respected you more if you had said - Stop persecution of human beings based on religion.
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Mar 15, 2015 09:29pm
Similar feelings should have come out of Pope's heart whenever muslims were killed in blind drone attacks
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Mar 15, 2015 09:32pm
Who is he to dictate us ? It is our internal affair !
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Mar 15, 2015 09:32pm
Condemn the killing of innocent people - be they are Pakistani christians or European and American muslims
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Mar 15, 2015 09:39pm
Persecution of Christians? How about persecution of Shites, Ahmedis and others? All citizens are being persecuted by the political and "religious" elite. The persecution in the name of religion will stop when Pakistani legislature separates religion from the State affairs and the "Islamic Republic of Pakistan" becomes PAKISTAN as envisioned by Jinnah
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Mar 15, 2015 09:43pm
@Ammar Gill Bwp - Religion means Humanity. There is no difference.
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Mar 15, 2015 09:54pm
@NAS - Thats too much to say. and the timing!
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Mar 15, 2015 10:09pm
@Shiraz. But it seems that most Muslims around the world are killed by other Muslims - Iran/Iraq war, Bangladesh war, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Pakistan ...
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Mar 15, 2015 10:19pm
I as a ahmadi want to move out from this land.It is no longer
a pak sar zameen for us.
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Mar 15, 2015 10:21pm
@Imran : And who are these taliban certainly at least 50% are from pakistan nation.
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Mar 15, 2015 10:24pm
that's why no international team is not ready to play in pakistan
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Mar 15, 2015 10:35pm
@Shiraz : So you are justifying this kind of cruelty!!
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Mar 15, 2015 10:44pm
Pope will enhance his image if he also speaks when Shias are slaughtered and no one is ever arrested.
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Mar 15, 2015 10:46pm
@mohammad shafique ....... Wao, for you killing of an innocent and a human being is same as not allowing someone to wear a scarf. This is the religion and culture we are heading too.
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Mar 15, 2015 10:46pm
@USdeemer : Great though by you. So if people punished their killer who killed innocent people is crime!!
If this is the thought process of common people a country then I don't know how long this country will survive???
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Mar 15, 2015 10:50pm
@AW .......Jinnah is dead, so his vision and Pakistan
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Mar 15, 2015 10:53pm
Pope must stop foreign interference in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Yemen where millions of Muslims have perished.
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Mar 15, 2015 11:03pm
@Ahtesham in India worst than Pakistan???? Very funny...given a chance all your minority including shia will rush to India...
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Mar 15, 2015 11:13pm
Hello Mr. Pontiff,
Please speak about hindus as well...
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Mar 15, 2015 11:28pm
Not just Christians but all minorities face persecution in Pakistan. Our incompetent politicians and officers need to wake up before we become the most hated country in the world.
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Mar 15, 2015 11:42pm
@ahmadi na jaooo bahii.
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Mar 15, 2015 11:49pm
Dear Pope......even muslims are being targeted and persecuted in pakistan,that too by so called muslim groups.,including political parties supported by non other then the christian countries of USA/UK and allies.Dear Pope you must realise that what is going on in the world,specially within muslim world is a fight not against Islam but between good and evil at the expense of Islam.
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Mar 15, 2015 11:55pm
@event horizon .......Local parties involved in coalition with foreign agencies.Time for muslim ulama to sit together and ex communicate anyone involved in murder and mayhem in the name of Islam,whether a political party or fake jihadist groups like TTP ,DAESH,ISIS,LET,MQM,PPP and the rest.
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Mar 16, 2015 12:09am
@Syed Sajid
Really?? :)
Do Pakistani Christians/Hindus live in your heart?
Then why dont declare Pakistan a secular country instead of Islamic Republic of Pakistan? :)
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Mar 16, 2015 12:52am
@Shiraz So someone is doing with their minorities gives us right to kill ours? Then what India does with Muslims is also justified. Is this your Islam teaches you ?
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Mar 16, 2015 12:53am
@Ahtesham Yes Pakistani passport is looked with suspicion, no one like Pakistanis, even our all weather Arab friends.
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Mar 16, 2015 01:28am
Taliban dont look to them as Christians. They look to them as Pakistanis. Because every true Pakistani is against the Taliban!
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Mar 16, 2015 01:29am
What the Taliban are doing is not religious extremism. It is pure barbarianism. Period.
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Mar 16, 2015 01:30am
@Shiraz
That is not the right attitude. As a Muslim and as a Human.
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Mar 16, 2015 01:37am
@mohammad shafique
There is plenty of space in the muslim world for women to wear their hijab freely. Why not live in those countries? Every country has a right to protect their own culture. Just like Pakistan would not like to see girls wearing skirts so France has all rights to protect their own values and culture, whether you agree with it or not. Love it or leave it. Muslims who migrate to the west should not try to have the best of both worlds.
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Mar 16, 2015 02:00am
Dear Pope!
If you follow the news, all places of worship in Pakistan are targeted, not by Muslims, but some terrorists, who have no religion. The Sunnis are attacked almost every month, Shias every 3 month, and Christians, and Ahmedis, once a year.
We deplore all such attacks.
From your silence, we understand that you you are not worried about attacks on Muslims and their Masjids in Burma, Palestine, India, and all over the world.
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Mar 16, 2015 03:51am
@Hari You are joking right...never heard or read about Christians being killed in India....must be living under a rock.
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Mar 16, 2015 05:11am
We are sorry to hear Christian being killed in Pakistan, it is the government failure, thus government be removed.
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Mar 16, 2015 12:39pm
“These are Christian churches. Christians are persecuted, our brothers spill their blood simply because they are Christians,” the pontiff said after his Angelus address"
This is a controversial view specially when the terror strikers in Pakistan is leaving no stone un turned to harm all segments of the society. The learned pope should see the facts in broader perspective. It is wrong to say that Christians are being prosecuted for christian
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