Pope Francis angrily condemned the “act of senseless and diabolical violence” that resulted in the
killing of 16 people, including four Catholic nuns, at an geriatric home in the Yemenite city of Aden.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Yemeni officials are blaming the Islamic State (ISIS.)
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In a statement, the Vatican announced that two nuns were Rwandan, one was Indian and the last a Kenyan national. They were working as nurses for the Missionaries of Charity congregation, which runs the home and was founded in Calcutta by Mother Teresa.
Breakfast was being served to about 80 residents when men claiming to be visiting their mothers invaded the residence, taking 16 victims with them. All the victims were handcuffed and shot in the head according to the Associated Press.
The pope “prays that this pointless slaughter will awaken consciences, lead to a change of heart, and inspire all parties to lay down their arms and take up the path of dialogue,” Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said. “He sends the assurance of his prayers for the dead and his spiritual closeness to their families and to all affected from this act of senseless and diabolical violence.”