advertisement

Pope: More Christian martyrs today than in ancient times

GENOA, Italy (AP) - Pope Francis prayed Saturday for the Coptic Christians killed a day earlier in Egypt by Islamic extremists, saying that there are more Christian martyrs today than in ancient times.

During a meeting with clergy in the Italian port city of Genoa, Francis urged them to pray "for our brothers the Egyptian Copts, who were killed because they did not want to renounce their faith."

"Let's not forget that today there are more Christian martyrs than in ancient times, than in the early day times of the church," Francis told bishops, priests and nuns gathered in the Cathedral of San Lorenzo.

Twenty-nine people died in the attack Friday on Christians traveling to a monastery south of Cairo. The attack, which took place on the eve of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, was the fourth to target Egypt's Christian minority since December.

The Egyptian Cabinet says 13 victims wounded in the attack remain hospitalized.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi blamed the attack on suspected Islamic State group extremists in Libya.

After Francis visited Egypt last month, IS vowed to escalate attacks against Christians and urged Muslims to steer clear of Christian gatherings and Western embassies.

Pope Francis delivers his message at the ILVA steel-making company in Genoa, Italy, Saturday, May 27, 2017. Pope Francis has begun a one-day visit to the northern Italian port city of Genoa to meet with workers, poor and homeless people, refugees and prisoners. His opened his visit at ILVA, a troubled steel-making company, where workers in hard hats awaited him. The visit puts a focus on the plight of workers whose lives have been made precarious by years of economic crisis. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press
Pope Francis arrives at the ILVA steel-making company in Genoa, Italy, Saturday, May 27, 2017. Pope Francis has begun a one-day visit to the northern Italian port city of Genoa to meet with workers, poor and homeless people, refugees and prisoners. His opened his visit at ILVA, a troubled steel-making company, where workers in hard hats awaited him. The visit puts a focus on the plight of workers whose lives have been made precarious by years of economic crisis. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press
Pope Francis greets workers as he arrives at the ILVA steel-making company in Genoa, Italy, Saturday, May 27, 2017. Pope Francis has begun a one-day visit to the northern Italian port city of Genoa to meet with workers, poor and homeless people, refugees and prisoners (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.