Pope prays for Coptic martyrs; urges media to serve truth, spread hope

On the second day running, Pope Francis has expressed his solidarity with Egypt's Coptic Christians following an attack on a bus carrying Coptic pilgrims to a remote desert monastery.

Leading thousands of pilgrims in the Regina Caeli prayer in St Peter’s Square today, the Pope said he wished to express, yet again, his closeness to his dear brother, Pope Tawadros II and to the whole Egyptian nation that two days ago suffered “another act of ferocious violence.”

“The victims, amongst which were also children, were killed after having refused to renounce their Christian faith” he said. The Pope prayed that the Lord “may welcome these courageous witnesses, these martyrs, in his peace and convert the hearts of the terrorists.”

The Islamic so-called State group claimed responsibility for Friday's attack, which killed 29 people.

Pope Francis also marked World Communications Day appealing for a culture of constructive information at the service of truth. He noted that today's means of communication offer the possibility of instantly sharing news across the world.

"News can be good or bad, true or false; let us pray so that communication, in all of its forms, be effectively constructive, at the service of truth, may it reject prejudice and spread hope and trust in our time" he said.

"Stem the spiral of fear, reject prejudice towards others and foster a culture of encounter" are the words are at the heart of Pope Francis’ message for the Church’s 51st World Communications Day, celebrated each year on the Sunday before Pentecost.

Read the full text of Pope Francis’ 51st World Communications Day Message.