Pope prays for victims and families of Russia bomb attack

Pope prays for victims and families of Russia bomb attack

Grieving relatives of the Monday subway bombing attend a memorial service at the Trinity Cathedral in St.Petersburg.- REUTERS

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is praying for the victims of a bomb attack in Russia and for all those affected by the tragedy.

Addressing the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience, the Pope turned his attention to the “serious attack of the past days in the St. Petersburg subway”, which he said, caused victims and a sense of loss and confusion in the Russian population.

A bomb exploded in a carriage of the St. Petersburg subway on Monday killing 14 people and injuring 50 others.

“While I entrust all those who are tragically deceased to the mercy of God, I express my spiritual closeness to their loved ones and to all those who are suffering because of this dramatic event” he said. 

Investigators say they have searched the home of the suspected suicide bomber behind Monday's deadly explosion on the St. Petersburg subway.

Russian investigators said they suspect a 22-year old Kyrgyz-born Russian citizen of having detonated the bomb.

Another bomb, hidden in a bag, was found and de-activated at another St. Petersburg station just half an hour before the blast.

The investigators have also reportedly arrested 6 people in St. Petersburg on suspicion of  “aiding terrorist activities.”  They said that at this moment there is no evidence of connection or acquaintance of the detained with executor of the terrorist action in the St. Petersburg metro”.

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