Scottish Catholic Observer

Two suspected suicide bombers targeted a peace rally of pro-Kurdish and labour activists near Ankara’s main train station three weeks before an election, killing at least 95 people and fuelling unease in a country beset by conflict between state forces and Kurdish militants.

The Holy Father also said there was sorrow because the attackers struck defenceless people who were demonstrating for peace. The Pope made the appeal following the Angelus in St Peter’s Square asking the Lord to welcome the souls of the dead and to comfort the suffering and their families.

Following his words, Pope Francis invited all those present in the square to pray for a moment in silence for the victims of the blasts. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, later sent a telegram of condolence in Pope Francis’s name to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following two bombings.

“His Holiness Pope Francis is deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and the injuries caused by the explosions in Ankara this morning, and he expresses his heartfelt solidarity with those affected by this tragedy,” Cardinal Parolin said in his October 11 telegram.

“While His Holiness deplores this barbaric act, he asks you to convey his spiritual closeness to all the families affected during this time of grief, and to the security and emergency personnel working to assist the wounded.”

“Commending the souls of all who have died to the loving mercy of the Almighty, Pope Francis invokes divine strength and peace upon their grieving relatives.”

The Islamic State (ISIS) group is the prime suspect, Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu has said. No group

“These attacks will not turn Turkey into a Syria,” Mr Davutoglu added on Monday.

—This story ran in full in the October 16 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.