Vatican City (AsiaNews) – In the aftermath of the Madrid terrorist strikes, which hit the Spanish capital a just few days ago, the pope said that "all sane forces of the continent" must unite together. This is the appeal John Paul II made to the world before reciting the Angelus in St. Peter's Square today.
The pontiff also urged especially "those who believe in God, the Creator and Father of all mankind" to cooperate toward building a world based more on "brotherhood and unity". This journey, he said, is "just" and must not be considered "delayable".
Below are the pope's words spoken prior to the Angelus (translation by AsiaNews).
"Today's gospelÂ…makes reference to two tragic events taken from Jesus' time: the bloody suppression of a revolt and the fall of a tower in Siloe on a surrounding crowd (cf. Luke 13,1-9). These events make us think about our own day and age, which is unfortunately marked by continuous violence and death.
Already last Sunday I was speaking about breeding grounds for war and terrorist attacks causing bloodshed throughout the world. Last Thursday, then, the dramatic attack hit Madrid, killing 200 victims and wounding over a thousand people. This horrendous crime has shaken public opinion worldwide. People are shocked in the face of such barbarous acts and are wondering how anyone can conceive of carrying out such abominable crimes.
In stressing my total condemnation of such unjustifiable acts, I express once again my sorrow for the families of victims and my closeness in prayer for the wounded and their relatives.
These events have received the sympathy of people across the globe as people in every part of Spain joined together in solidarity last Friday together with political figures from all over Europe.
And it is by relying on the common efforts of all the sane forces of the Continent that we can look forward with hope and confidence for a better future. Above all, those who believe in God, the Creator and Father of all mankind must feel committed to working toward building a world based more on brotherhood and unity, despite the difficulties and obstacles they must deal with along this just and undelayable journey.
May we place our trust in Mary, the merciful Virgin's motherly hands, especially for the victims of the terrible terrorist attack in Madrid. We ask her to protect and watch over the dear Spanish nation, Europe and the whole world".