Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow on Tuesday over the recent suicide bombing at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria.
The attack occurred on Sunday at Saint Elias Church, killing 25 people and injuring over 60. Responsibility was claimed by a little-known Sunni extremist group, although initial reports had pointed to the Islamic State.
Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin stated, “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and damage caused by the attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Mar Elias in Damascus. He extends his heartfelt solidarity to all those affected.”
This incident marks the first suicide bombing targeting a church in Syria since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. The country’s Christian population has since dwindled from around one million to approximately 300,000.
