Pope Francis has sent his condolences to the loved ones of the victims of the terrorist attack during the night between Friday and Saturday in Bangladesh’s capital of Dhaka. In the diplomatic district of the city, shooters stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery, a trendy restaurant, killing 20 hostages and two police officers. CNN reports that the victims were 11 males and nine females. Their nationalities included one U.S. citizen of Bangladeshi origin, nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, and two Bangladeshis. Below is the Vatican-provided text of his message:
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DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE PERPETRATED AGAINST INNOCENT VICTIMS IN DHAKA, HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS EXPRESSES HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES AND CONDEMNS SUCH BARBAROUS ACTS AS OFFENSES AGAINST GOD AND HUMANITY. IN COMMENDING THE DEAD TO GOD’S MERCY, HIS HOLINESS GIVES THE ASSURANCE OF HIS PRAYERS FOR THE GRIEVING FAMILIES AND THE WOUNDED
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE
[Original text: English]
[Vatican-provided text]
