Pope Francis on Wednesday called on all religions to condemn terrorist attacks carried out in the name of god during a mass held for a Catholic priest killed in France in July.
Francis said during a morning mass in Vatican City, adding that how great it would be if all confessions would clearly say: “Killing in the name of god is satanic.’’
In July, two attackers took hostages during morning mass in a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, France, and killed 85-year-old priest Jacques Hamel with a knife.
Meanwhile the Islamic State terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the attack.
The pope referred to Hamel as a “martyr’’ during Wednesday’s mass, which was visited by about 80 pilgrims from the French city where the attack took place. (dpa/NAN)