Pope Leo: The Church Stands with Christians in Middle East

Friday: Christian Persecution

Pope Leo called the bombing of Mar Elias Church in Damascus Syria on June 22 a “vile terrorist attack.”

Attacks on Christians in Syria have increased markedly since the change of government. Syrian Christians have experienced the worst violence in years. Christians, who were 10% of the population, have now dropped to less than 2%. There could be as few as 300,000 Christians left in the country.

The suicide bombing on Mar Elias Church killed 25 Christian worshippers who were attending Sunday services.

From the BBC:

At least 25 people have been killed and 63 others wounded in a suicide bomb attack at a church in Damascus, Syria’s health ministry has said.

A man opened fire with a weapon at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in the Dweila neighbourhood during a service on Sunday evening before detonating an explosive vest, according to the interior ministry.

It said the attacker was affiliated with the jihadist group Islamic State (IS). There was no immediate claim from the group itself.

Photos and video from inside the church showed a heavily damaged altar, pews covered in broken glass and blood spattered across the walls.

Pope Leo expressed the solidarity of the whole Church with the persecuted Christians of the Middle East, “I am close to you and the whole Church stand with you.”

From Vatican News:

During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV remembered the “vile terrorist attack” on the Mar Elias church in Damascus, Syria on June 22. He entrusted the victims to God’s mercy and offered his continued prayers for those who were wounded and their families.

Turning to all Christians in the Middle East, the Pope expressed his solidarity with them. “I am close to you, and the whole Church stands with you.” He argued this recent attack highlights “the deep fragility” that Syria continues to live through after years of instability and violence.

Pope Leo called on the international community to “not turn its gaze away from this country.” Rather, he continued, it must offer support “through acts of solidarity and a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation.”