Following suicide attacks at Christian churches in Pakistan Sunday, March 15, Pope Francis begged God to bring an end to persecution of Christians around the world. The pontiff also indirectly criticized the world's lack of attention to the issue
Pope Francis on Sunday poignantly begged God to bring an end to persecution of Christians around the world, as he expressed "much pain" over two fatal suicide attacks at churches in Pakistan earlier in the day.
Addressing the attacks at the end of his Angelus prayer, Francis also indirectly criticized the world's lack of attention to Christians who are being because of their beliefs.
"Christians are persecuted," said the pontiff, speaking to those in St. Peter's Square. "Our brothers shed blood only because they are Christians."
"As I assure you of my prayer for the victims and their families, I ask the Lord -- implore the Lord, font of every goodness -- [for] the gift of peace and harmony for that country," he continued. "And that this persecution against Christians that the world tries to hide, finishes and there may be peace."
Francis was addressing two suicide attacks at Christian churches in the Pakistani city of Lahore, which took place during Sunday services March 15. At least 12 died and dozens were wounded in the bombings, one of which targeted a Catholic community and the other a Protestant congregation.
Reports from the area indicated that several of those killed in the attacks were police officers, deployed outside the churches to protect against such violence. Religious minorities in Pakistan have suffered attacks for years, with the latest grabbing international headlines in 2013 when 85 were killed in attack on a Christian church in Peshawar.
The pope has spoken often about difficult situations faced by Christians in various parts of the world, particularly those who have suffered violence caused by the so-called Islamic State in the Middle East
Earlier in the Angelus prayer Sunday, Francis offered a reflection on the Gospel text of the day, which is taken from John and includes the famous line: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son."
"Listening to this word, we turn the gaze of our hearts to Jesus Crucified and feel inside of us that God loves us, he truly loves us, and loves us so much!" said the pope. "Here is the simplest expression that sums up the whole Gospel, all faith, all theology: God loves us with free and boundless love."
"If in creation the Father has given us proof of his boundless love by giving us the life, passion and death of the Son, he gave us the proof of proofs," said Francis. "He came to suffer and die for us -- and that, for love."
"So great is the mercy of God!" he continued. "Because he loves us, he forgives us. With his mercy, God forgives all, and God always forgives."
