(ANS - Tunis) - Condemnation of the attack last Wednesday in Tunis has come in the past few hours, from several authorities, civil and religious. In a telegram sent to Archbishop Ilario Antoniazzi of Tunis, the Pope expressed his "strong condemnation of all acts against peace and the sanctity of human life" and a prayer "to the Lord to welcome the deceased in peace and to comfort those who are seriously injured."

Yesterday evening Archbishop Antoniazzi went to various hospitals of the city to visit the wounded, and issued statements to Vatican Radio to express sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families. "I want to say that this is not typical of of the Tunisian people. They do not understand how it is possible that so many people were killed and injured. The Tunisian people are friendly and good," he said.

The Tunisian President, Beji Caid Essebsi, said to the national media, "We have taken the road of democracy and democracy will win." The President’s message was reiterated by Prime Minister Habib Essid, who launched an appeal for unity in the country.

Finally, Archbishop Nosiglia of Turin - the city where two of the Italian victims were from - called on all citizens to pray at the shrine of the Consolata in memory of the victims of persecution and terrorism and to obtain the gift of peace. He urged all the Christian communities in Turin to remember the victims in the Eucharist and in the Via Crucis.

Published 20/03/2015