Pope Francis condemns attacks on Charlie Hebdo offices and kosher supermarket in Paris

Pope Francis spoke out about the horrific acts of violence on the Charlie Hebdo offices and the kosher supermarket in Paris last week. In his ‘State of the World’ address, he said that “Violence is always the product of a falsification of religion.”

He also told diplomats at the address that the killings showed how rejecting the beliefs of others could lead to violence and the breakdown of society.

“I express my hope that religious, political and intellectual leaders, especially those from the Muslim community, will condemn all fundamentalist and extremist interpretations of religion, which attempt to justify such acts of violence”, he said, calling for peace and unity.

Pope Francis urged leaders to engage in dialogue and to use the historic reconciliation between the US and Cuba as an example.