Pope Francis and religious leaders across Asia have expressed their Christian unity and condolences after the terror attacks in Sri Lanka that killed above 350 people on Easter Sunday. The Pope used his Easter Sunday address to the faithful in St Peter’s Square in Rome to speak about the bombings of churches and hotels that devastated the island nation.

“I want to express my loving closeness to the Christian community, targeted while they were gathered in prayer, and all the victims of such cruel violence,” he said.

“I entrust to the Lord all those who were tragically killed and pray for the injured and all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event. “I wish to express my heartfelt closeness to the Christian community [of Sri Lanka], wounded as it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence.”

In Pakistan, which has suffered many similar attacks on Christians, the Centre for Legal Aid and Assistance (CLAAS), a non-profit law firm which takes up cases of persecuted Christians, is holding a protest on April 22 against terrorism.

“Humanity died on this Sun-day. Satan is using religion in terrorism,” said CLAAS national director Joseph Francis.

“We offer every possible co-operation to the Sri Lankan government. This incident is a danger for world peace. Leaders of all nations should forget their differences and join hands in making a doable policy.” Imple-mentation Minority Rights Fo-rum, a Catholic NGO, is holding a candlelight vigil for the victims of church attacks on April 22 in front of Lahore Press Club.