Originally at: http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/11/13/the-vatican-catholic-leaders-react-to-paris-attacks/
by Inés San Martín and Michael O’Loughlin
ROME — Pope Francis on Saturday condemned the terrorist attacks that led to the death of more than 120 people in Paris and left hundreds more wounded, saying that there’s no “religious or human justification for these things.”
“This is not human,” a notably moved Francis said on the phone to an Italian TV network.
“This is a piece [of the Third World War being fought at piecemeal],” Francis said, adding that he finds such attacks “hard to understand.”
The coordinated multiple terrorist attacks in the French capital targeted civilians at a concert hall, restaurants, and a sports stadium where President Francois Hollande was attending a soccer game.
At least three bombs and six shooting attacks have been confirmed. The terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility, calling the assaults “miracles.”
Just hours after the attacks Friday night, the Holy See joined other nations in condemning the attacks.
“We are shocked by this new manifestation of maddening, terrorist violence and hatred which we condemn in the most radical way together with the Pope and all those who love peace,” said a statement released Friday evening in Rome by the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.
The full text of the statement:
Here in the Vatican we are following the terrible news from Paris. We are shocked by this new manifestation of maddening, terrorist violence and hatred which we condemn in the most radical way together with the Pope and all those who love peace. We pray for the victims and the wounded, and for all the French people. This is an attack on peace for all humanity, and it requires a decisive, supportive response on the part of all of us as we counter the spread of homicidal hatred in all of its forms.
Catholic Springtime 