Pope Francis delivered a message of condemnation to members of the Islamic State terrorist group during his traditional Good Friday address at the Roman Colosseum.
In response to bombings in Belgium on Tuesday and a growing trend of attacks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the pope decried “expressions of fundamentalism” and “terrorist acts committed by followers of some religions which profane the name of God and which use the holy name to justify their unprecedented violence.”
Attacks at an airport and metro station in Brussels earlier this week left 31 people dead and 260 others injured. The incident happened during Holy Week, which Christians believe to be the final week of Jesus’ life when he was put to death on a cross on Good Friday, but was resurrected on Easter Sunday.
The annual torch-lit processional ceremony took place at the ancient Roman arena, a symbol of the persecution members of the early Church endured.
“We see you raised up in our sisters and brothers killed, burned alive, throats slit and decapitated by barbarous blades amid cowardly silence,” Pope Francis said, referring to Jesus Christ.
He concluded the service by declaring the “certainty” of God’s love would not be affected by the “apparent victory of evil.”
Since Tuesday, European law enforcement officials have raced to catch those involved in the attacks as well as others who may be planning other bombings throughout the continent. Security at the event was heightened and is expected to be very high at Sunday’s St. Peter Square Easter Mass.
