Decrying the "barbaric attack in Manchester," England, Pope Francis sent his condolences and prayers to all those affected "by this senseless act of violence," an attack on a concert that British officials said was the deadliest case of terrorism since 2005.
In a telegram sent on the pope's behalf by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, the cardinal said the pope "was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life" after a suicide bomb explosion killed at least 22 people and injured another 59 at Manchester Arena on May 22. Many concertgoers at the Ariana Grande concert were teenagers, young adults and families.
The pope "expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence," the telegram said, as "he commends the generous efforts of the emergency and security personnel and offers the assurance of his prayers for the injured, and for all who have died."
"Mindful in a particular way of those children and young people who have lost their lives, and of their grieving families, Pope Francis invokes God's blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation."
In Britain, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and other Catholic leaders offered prayers for the victims of the attacks and their families.
"My shock and dismay at the horrendous killing of young and innocent people in the Manchester Arena last night is, I know, shared by all people of goodwill," Cardinal Nichols said in a May 23 statement posted on the Westminster archdiocesan website. "I know, too, that Catholics and many others will be praying earnestly for those who have been killed, for the bereaved and for grieving loved ones.
"We pray in support of all those working so hard in response to this tragedy: the police and security forces, hospital staff, neighbors and friends and for all the people of Manchester. May God, in his mercy, strengthen and sustain us and keep us firmly united in the face of all evil."
The terrorist attack took place within the Diocese of Salford, which incorporates most of Manchester and much of northwest England.
Bishop John Arnold of Salford offered a lunchtime Mass on May 23 at St. Mary's, a popular city-center church close to Manchester Arena.
In a statement the same day, he said: "The citizens of Manchester and the members of the Catholic community are united in condemning the attack on the crowds at the Manchester Arena.
"Such an attack can have no justification. I thank the emergency services for their prompt and speedy response which saved lives," he continued. "We join in prayer for all those who have died and for the injured and their families and all affected by this tragedy. We must all commit ourselves to working together, in every way, to help the victims and their families and to build and strengthen our community solidarity."
Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury, whose diocese covers southern parts of Manchester, wrote to his clergy, urging them to pray for the victims and their families.
"Let us also keep in our prayer the police and emergency services, together with all hospital staff and chaplains," he said in his letter.
The bishop added: "Together with church and religious leaders in Greater Manchester, I ask the prayers of your parishioners for peace and solidarity in all our communities that the hate which inspires such indiscriminate violence may be overcome by that love which faith and prayer inspires in our hearts. I hope the days ahead, overshadowed by this atrocity, will lead us all to such prayer and active charity."
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote Bishop Arnold to assure him of the prayers of Catholics in the United States.
"Words are not enough to convey the deep shock and sadness with which Catholics and all people of goodwill in the United States learned of the horrible attack which took place yesterday at England's Manchester Arena," said his letter, released on May 23 in Washington. He mentioned "the unspeakable loss of life, terrible injuries, and untold trauma to families—especially to children."
"Evil, as dense and dark as it is, never has the last word," Cardinal DiNardo wrote. "As we prepare to celebrate the new dawn of Pentecost again, may the Easter words of the risen Christ, 'Peace be with you,' settle deep into the hearts of the citizens of your great country."
