Pope Francis Mourns Victims of ‘Senseless and Brutal’ Pakistan Hospital Attack

‘Upon all who mourn and upon all who have been affected by this tragedy, His Holiness invokes the divine gifts of consolation and strength,’ read a telegram from the Holy See on Aug. 9.

People comfort each other following a bomb blast in Quetta, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 8. A powerful bomb went off inside a government-run hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta on Monday, killing dozens of people and wounding dozens of others, police said.
People comfort each other following a bomb blast in Quetta, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 8. A powerful bomb went off inside a government-run hospital in the southwestern city of Quetta on Monday, killing dozens of people and wounding dozens of others, police said. (photo: AP Photo/Arshad Butt)

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis offered his condolences to those affected by the “senseless and brutal” attack against a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, which left dozens dead and over a hundred injured.

Both a Pakistan faction of the Taliban — known as Jamaat-ur-Ahrar — and the Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the bombing, according to Reuters.

The Jamaat-ur-Ahrar is the same group responsible for a deadly attack earlier this year in which around 70 people — mostly children — were slaughtered during Easter Sunday celebrations.

The Holy Father was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life” from Monday’s attack, according to the telegram that was signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

In the message, the Pope sent his “heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the deceased, to the authorities and to the entire nation as he offers the assurance of his prayers for the many injured victims of this senseless and brutal act of violence.”

“Upon all who mourn and upon all who have been affected by this tragedy, His Holiness invokes the divine gifts of consolation and strength.”

At least 70 people were killed and around 120 people were wounded when a suicide bomber struck the hospital in Pakistan’s south-west, according to the BBC.

Included among the casualties were lawyers and journalists who were accompanying the remains of Bilal Anwar Kasi, a lawyer who had been shot dead earlier that day.