“We are glad that the Pope was able to proceed with the midnight mass, unshaken by this attack and later delivered his traditional Christmas Message and blessings, where he emphasized the need for peace and understanding, focusing on the world’s needy, mentioning the work of the Church in Sri Lanka too as a source of reconciliation and peace.

We share the joy of Sri Lankan Catholic community at His Holiness being unharmed in this incident and wish him continued good health, in the service of the Church; as we also share in his call for peace and understanding among all people. We also wish speedy recovery to the French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, injured in this incident”, said the President.