Pope deplores violence in Philippines

Last Updated: Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:33:00 +1100

Pope Benedict has deplored what he calls the "absurd violence" against Christians when a bomb went off at a church in the Philippines.

He also condemned bomb attacks on churches in Nigeria which killed more than 30 people.

The Pope, speaking from his window to pilgrims and tourists in St Peter's Square, said he was saddened by the attacks in the two countries as well as by as a suicide attack in Pakistan.

Six people died in attacks on two Christian churches in the north-east of Nigeria, and six people were also injured by a bomb in a Roman Catholic Church on the island of Jolo in the Philippines.

At least 40 people waiting to receive aid were killed by a suicide bomber in Peshawar, Pakistan, also on Christmas Day.

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