Pope Leo XIV ‘deeply saddened’ by Islamist attack on a church in Damascus

ACI Prensa Staff, Jun 24, 2025 / 14:47 pm (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday said he was “deeply saddened” by the terrorist attack on a church in Damascus, Syria, and assured his prayers for those mourning the 25 people who were killed.

On Sunday, June 22, the solemnity of Corpus Christi, eyewitnesses reported that two armed men stormed the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Elias in Douailah on the outskirts of the Syrian capital.

One of them remained outside, firing at worshippers and into the church’s stained-glass windows, eyewitnesses said, while the second tried to enter the church and detonate a grenade, according to ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner.

Two parishioners intervened and managed to wrestle the explosive device away from the second man, preventing an immediate detonation. However, while being dragged outside, the attacker activated his suicide belt, resulting in a massive explosion.

The attack left at least 25 dead and a total of 63 wounded.

The Holy See Press Office released a telegram of condolence from Pope Leo XIV on June 24 signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

In the message, the pontiff expressed his profound sadness after receiving news of “the loss of life and the destruction caused by the attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Mar Elias in Damascus.”

In light of the brutal attack, the first since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the Holy Father also expressed “his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected.”

“In entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of our heavenly Father, His Holiness likewise prays for those who mourn their loss,” the telegram read.

Leo XIV also assured his prayers “for the recovery of the injured” and invoked “the Almighty’s gifts of consolation, healing, and peace upon the nation.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.