Pope speaks of his pain over "senseless violence" in Connecticut
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Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a mass in St. Patrick parish church on the occasion of his visit in Rome, Sunday, Dec 16, 2012. Pope Benedict expressed his pain over the killing in the United States of 26 people, including 20 schoolchildren, by a gunman and prayed for the consolation of the victims' families at his weekly address on Sunday. -- PHOTO: AP
VATICAN CITY (REUTERS) - Pope Benedict expressed his pain over the killing in the United States of 26 people, including 20 schoolchildren, by a gunman and prayed for the consolation of the victims' families at his weekly address on Sunday.
"I was deeply saddened by Friday's senseless violence in Newtown, Connecticut," the pontiff told crowds of pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square in Vatican City.
"I assure the families of the victims, especially those who lost a child, of my closeness in prayer. May the God of consolation touch their hearts and ease their pain."
"Upon those affected by this tragedy, and upon each of you, I invoke God's abundant blessings!"
