His Holiness, Pope Francis, has sympathized with Catholics in Nigeria following the attack by unknown gunmen at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on Sunday, murdering innocent parishioners.
During the holy mass, some Gunmen reportedly opened fire on attendees both inside and outside Owo’s St. Francis Xavier Church.
No group had taken credit for the incident as of June 6th.
Pope Francis, however, has reacted to the incident, stating that the attendees were “painfully affected,” according to a statement released by Matteo Bruni, the Vatican press office director, on Sunday.
The statement read, “The pope has learned of the attack on the church in Ondo, Nigeria and the deaths of dozens of worshippers, many children, during the celebration of Pentecost.
“While the details are being clarified, Pope Francis prays for the victims and the country, painfully affected at a time of celebration, and entrusts them both to the Lord so that he may send his spirit to console them.”
Meanwhile, IGP Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, denounced the horrific killing of congregants at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
The attack took place around 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, according to Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi’s statement.
Ajejobi stated that preliminary investigations showed that bombs were also brought to the scene.
