Pope to Terrorists: "Stop in the Name of God!"

VATICAN CITY, JULY 10, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI called on the terrorists responsible for the London bombings to "stop in the name of God."

After praying the Angelus with some 40,000 tourists and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square today, the Pope said: "We all feel profound sorrow for the atrocious terrorist attacks in London last Thursday."

Then, after requesting prayers "for the people who were killed, for those who were wounded and for their dear ones," the Holy Father appealed for prayers for the attackers, "that the Lord will touch their hearts."

"God loves life, which he has created, not death," he said to those who "foment sentiments of hatred," and those who carry out "such repugnant terrorist attacks."

The Holy Father pleaded: "Stop in the name of God!"

On Thursday, when Benedict XVI received the news of the attacks, he withdrew to his private chapel to pray and sent a message to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, archbishop of Westminster, to condemn "these barbaric acts against humanity."