Pope calls Pakistan church attack act of hate, war

• Indian PM condemns attack, says such barbaric acts against tenets of every religion

Pope Francis on Sunday led several thousand people in a special prayer for the victims of the church attack in Pakistan.

Francis was wrapping up a daylong visit to Sardinia when he took the microphone and told throngs of young people about the scale of the attack in Peshawar.

He said those who carried out the attack “took the wrong choice, one of hatred and war”.

India condemns:

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the attack, saying it was yet another deeply disturbing manifestation of the evil forces of terror.

“The horrific suicide attack at a church in Peshawar today is yet another deeply disturbing manifestation of the evil forces of terror. That the attack took place at a place of worship and claimed the lives of dozens of innocent worshippers makes this senseless act of violence even more tragic,” Singh said in a message.

The Indian prime minister said, “Such barbaric acts are against the tenets of every religion.”

“India condemns the terrorist attack in Peshawar in the strongest terms. We convey our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish speedy recovery to the injured.”