Respond to the Devil's work with forgiveness, Pope tells families of Nice massacre victims

Pope meets families of Nice attack

"We can only respond to the devil's attack with the works of God: forgiveness, love, respect for our neighbours, even if they are indifferent to it."

That was Pope Francis's message to families from the French city of Nice grieving the loss of relatives mowed down in the city's streets by a truck driven by a Muslim extremist. A basket of 86 flowers - symbolising the 86 victims of the attack on Bastille Day (July 14, 2016) was given to the Pope by Christian Estrosi, the former Mayor of Nice.

Relatives of the victims, including Muslims and Jews gathered at special audience with the Pope on Saturday at the Vatican.

"It cheers me to see that, among you, inter-religious relations are very strong, and this cannot but help contribute to alleviating the wounds of these dramatic events," observed the Holy Father. He said it was both essential and urgent that political and religious leaders should establish "sincere dialogue and fraternal relations among all, especially among all those who believe in a God who is one and merciful."

In break with the norm for group audiences, the Pope met and spoke to each person at the audience individually. Some wept, wiping away tears, others showed him pictures of their loved ones, or asked the Pope to pose with them for a photograph.

He told all present that authentic "conversion of heart" was needed in the face of temptation to "respond to hatred with hatred, to violence with violence."

The Pope prayed for all the wounded and those unable to attend the audience as they are still in hospital. Speaking in Italian - he apologised for the paucity of his French - the Pope's comments were translated by a priest. The Holy Father reassured all that the Church remained "close" to them and accompanied each one "with immense compassion."