Friday, December 28, 2007 at 12:12am
Pope reacts to Bhutto assassination
Pope Benedict XVI expressed his shock at the "brutal terrorist attack" that claimed the life of Benazir Bhutto and vowed to pray "that further violence will be avoided" in Pakistan. In a telegram to Archbishop John Saldanha of Lahore, the president of the Pakistani bishops' conference, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone conveyed the pontiff's expression of sympathy to Bhutto's family "and to the entire Pakistani nation."
The papal message, written in English, conveyed hope that "every effort will be made to build a climate of respect and trust, which are so necessary if good order is to be maintained" in Pakistan, Catholic World News reported Friday.
Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, issued a separate statement describing the assassination as "terrible and tragic news." Speaking officially for the Holy See, he said, "We share the sorrow of the people of Pakistan."
The papal message, written in English, conveyed hope that "every effort will be made to build a climate of respect and trust, which are so necessary if good order is to be maintained" in Pakistan, Catholic World News reported Friday.
Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, issued a separate statement describing the assassination as "terrible and tragic news." Speaking officially for the Holy See, he said, "We share the sorrow of the people of Pakistan."