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Pope Condemns Attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt That Killed Dozens

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack

Masked militants fired on a bus filled with Coptic Christians south of Cairo Friday, killing at least 28 and wounding 22, the Egyptian Ministry said.

The Vatican says Pope Francis is "saddened" by the "barbaric" attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt.

In a condolence message sent on Friday to the Egyptian president, Francis said he'll continue his "intercession for peace and reconciliation" throughout Egypt.

The message described Francis as being "deeply saddened to learn of the barbaric attack in central Egypt and of the tragic loss of life and injury caused by this senseless act of hatred."

U.S. President Donald Trump echoed the Pope's condemnation in a statement, calling the attack "merciless" and saying that attacks on innocents inflict wounds upon humanity.

"But this attack also steels our resolve to bring nations together for the righteous purpose of crushing the evil organizations of terror, and exposing their depraved, twisted, and thuggish ideology," Trump's statement continued.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Friday's attack, but ISIS claimed responsibility for three attacks against churches in recent months that left about 75 people dead.

Last month's visit by Francis to Cairo aimed in part to show support for Christians in Muslim majority Egypt. Following the visit, the Islamic State group vowed to escalate attacks against Christians.

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