Pope deeply saddened over Brussels museum shooting

TEL AVIV, Israel – Pope Francis on Sunday, May 25, said he was deeply saddened by a deadly shooting attack in Belgium which left three people dead, including two Israelis.

“I am profoundly saddened, my thoughts go out to those who lost their lives in the attack in Brussels,” the 77-year-old pontiff said as he arrived in Israel on the final leg of a three-day Middle East tour.

“I entrust the victims to God,” he said of the attack which took place at the Jewish museum in the Belgian capital. The shooting also killed a French national and left a fourth person in critical condition. (READ: Belgium hunts gunman as Jewish community on high alert)

The attack, which took place in central Brussels on Saturday afternoon, May 24, drew condemnation from European leaders, and was blamed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a growing wave of anti-Semitism sweeping Europe.

By contrast, the Israeli leader welcomed the pope’s “determined stance” against anti-Semitism. 

Speaking at a formal ceremony at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv after flying in from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Francis reiterated calls for an end to anti-Semitism and intolerance.

“Let us promote an education… where there will be no place for anti-Semitism in any of its forms or for expressions of hostility, discrimination or intolerance towards any individual or people,” he said.

He also spoke out against religious intolerance in an apparent reference to a wave of anti-Christian attacks by Jewish extremists ahead of his arrival in the Holy Land.

“I express my hope and prayer that this blessed land may be one which has no place for those who, by exploiting… the value of their own religious tradition, prove intolerant and violent towards those of others.”

On Sunday morning, police arrested 26 Jewish extremists protesting at a site on Mount Zion where the pope will celebrate mass on Monday, May 26. 

Earlier this week, police imposed restraining orders on 15 extremists barring them from sites the pope will visit. – Rappler.com