Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
Associated Press January 12, 2018
A church employee surveys the damage caused by an overnight fire bomb attack at the Emmanuel Catholic Church, in Santiago, Chile, Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Three churches were attacked with fire bombs in Santiago overnight, dropping leaflets at the scene against the upcoming visit of Pope Francis, and calling for a "free" Mapuche nation. Nobody was injured or arrested. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Authorities in Chile say three Roman Catholic churches have been firebombed days before Pope Francis is set to visit the Andean nation.

The attacks happened overnight in Santiago, the capital and largest city, where the pope will arrive Monday.

They involved hitting the churches with firebombs and then spraying accelerant. In one church, the doors were burned before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Outside one church, pamphlets were found exhorting the cause of the Mapuche indigenous people and threatening the pope.

They read: "The next bombs will be in your cassock."

Interior Ministry official Mahmud Aleuy called the damage "minor."

A bomb squad was also deployed to an evangelical church, where a barrel of flammable liquid was believed to be inside.

No arrests have been made.

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

Pope Francis reads his speech to officials of the Roman Curia and the College of Cardinals during his annual pre-Christmas meeting with them in the Hall of Blessing above the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Dec. 21, 2024. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
In Francis’ 12th Christmas address to the Roman Curia, he reminded them, “An ecclesial community lives in joyful and fraternal harmony to the extent that its members walk the path of humility.”
Gerard O’ConnellDecember 21, 2024
With the opening of the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis’ schedule of liturgies in December and January has expanded.
Catholic News ServiceDecember 20, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 20 announced his intention to appoint Brian Burch, currently the president of CatholicVote, as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.
Kate Scanlon - OSV NewsDecember 20, 2024
Despite his removal, Bishop Joseph E. Strickland has remained an outspoken detractor of Pope Francis, both online and at various events organized by Catholic laity opposed to the Holy Father.
Gina Christian - OSV NewsDecember 20, 2024