He prayed for God "to help us to extinguish the flames of hatred that develop in our societies"
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is grieving with Pittsburgh’s Jewish community following the massacre at a synagogue there, denouncing the « inhuman act of violence » and praying for an end to the « flames of hatred » that fueled it.
Francis led prayers for Pittsburgh on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, a day after a gunman who had expressed hatred of Jews opened fire in the synagogue during Sabbath services, killing 11 people.
Francis prayed for the dead, the injured and their families. He says « all of us are wounded by this inhuman act of violence. » He prayed for God « to help us to extinguish the flames of hatred that develop in our societies. »
Francis has frequently spoken out against religiously inspired violence and has denounced the easy availability of guns, calling arms manufacturers the « merchants of death. »
