Pope firmly condemns Moscow airport attack

Vatican City, Jan 25, 2011 / 10:10 am

Pope Benedict XVI strongly condemned the Jan. 24 terrorist attack at a Moscow airport, which took the lives of 35 people. He also sent his deep condolences to the families of the victims.

The Pope joined with the Russian people and others mourning the loss of their loved ones by sending a telegram to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin declared Wednesday, Jan. 26 to be a day of mourning for the city.

The telegram, sent by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in the Pope's name, said that the attack has caused Pope Benedict “profound suffering” and that he firmly condemns this “serious act of violence.”

The Pope asked Medvedev “to transmit his sentiments of spiritual closeness and deep condolences” to the relatives of  the 35 people who were killed and 180 who were injured in what authorities believe to be a terrorist attack by Islamic separatists at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport.

Pope Benedict prayed to God that He would give “heavenly comfort" to those mourning the tragic loss of their loved ones and to those who were injured.

The bombing targeted the international terminal of the airport, which had just received several flights from Europe 30 minutes before the explosion.

Authorities suspect the attack was carried out by separatists from the Chechnya region, who have vowed to bring their fight from the North Caucasus to Russia's heartland as the 2012 presidential elections approach.

No group has come forward to claim responsibility for the bombing.