Pope prays for London victims, attackers

Benedict says terrorists must ‘stop in the name of God!’

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July 7: London terror attacks

updated 7:22 a.m. ET July 10, 2005

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI called Sunday for the faithful to pray for those who carried out the London bombings but also told the attackers to “stop in the name of God!”

“To those who foment feelings of hatred and to those who carry out such repugnant terrorist actions, I say to you: ‘God loves life, which he created, not death. Stop in the name of God!”’

Benedict made the comments during his traditional Sunday blessing to pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter’s Square.

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“We all feel a profound sadness for last Thursday’s atrocious terrorist attacks in London,” he said to applause from the crowd. “Let us pray for those killed, for those injured and for those dear to them. But let us also pray for the attackers: Let the Lord touch their hearts.”

It was the second time Benedict had issued a message following Thursday’s blasts.

A few hours after the attacks, Benedict issued a telegram of condolence to the archbishop of Westminster saying he deplored the “barbaric acts against humanity” and was praying for the victims.