Pope Francis condemns 'senseless brutality' of Garissa massacre

Security was tightened at Garissa University College on April 3, 2015 after an attack that killed 147 people. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The pontiff's feelings were expressed in a telegram send by his Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Cardinal John Njue.
• The day-long siege of Garissa University just before Easter was the work of Somalia's Al-Shabaab and Kenya's deadliest attack since the 1998 US embassy bombings.

By AFP
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VATICAN CITY

Pope Francis on Friday condemned the massacre of 147 students that saw Christians targeted as an act of "senseless brutality" and said he would pray for the perpetrators to change.

The pontiff's feelings were expressed in a telegram send by his Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Cardinal John Njue on Good Friday, the holiest day of the year in the Christian calendar.

"Deeply saddened by the immense and tragic loss of life caused by the recent attack on the Garissa University College, the Holy Father sends assurances of his prayers and spiritual closeness to the families of the victims and to all Kenyans at this painful time," the telegram read.

"In union with all people of good will throughout the world, His Holiness condemns this act of senseless brutality and prays for a change of heart among its perpetrators."

DEADLY ATTACK

The day-long siege of Garissa University College just before Easter was the work of Somalia's Al-Shabaab and the deadliest attack since the 1998 US embassy bombings.

An Al-Shabaab spokesman has said the attack on a campus near the border with Somalia was carried out in revenge for the presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia.

Hurling grenades and firing automatic rifles, the gunmen stormed the university as students were sleeping, shooting dead dozens before setting Muslims free and holding Christians and others hostage.