Pope Francis Condemns Easter Sunday's Explosions In Sri Lanka As 'Cruel Violence'

ROME (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st April, 2019) Pope Francis lamented a series of deadly explosions that hit churches and hotels across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday and offered his condolences to those affected by the attacks.

Eight blasts took place in Sri Lanka on Sunday, hitting several churches with Catholic worshipers and hotels in the country's capital of Colombo and other cities. According to media reports, the attacks claimed lives of over 200 people.

"I wish to express my heartfelt closeness to the Christian community [of Sri Lanka], wounded as it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence .

..� I entrust to the Lord all those who have tragically perished and I pray for the injured and all those who suffer as a result of this tragic event," the supreme pontiff said in his Easter Urbi et Orbi address at St. Peter's Square in Vatican, as quoted by the Holy See's official media outlet, the Vatican news.

Media reported earlier on Sunday that the Sri Lankan authorities had imposed a curfew across the country from 6:00 p.m. Sunday to 6:00 a.m. Monday local time (from 12:30 Sunday to 00:30 Monday GMT) following the attacks.