Pope Francis asked congregants to pray for Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, a reverend father brutally murdered by bandits last week in Minna, Niger State.
Speaking to pilgrims gathered at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, the pope said, “I ask all of you to join me in praying for Father Isaac Achi, of the Diocese of Minna in northern Nigeria, who was killed last Sunday in an attack on his rectory.”
“So many Christians continue to be the target of violence: let us remember them in our prayers!” Pope Francis added.
Fr. Achi was set ablaze by angry bandits after they were unable to gain entry to the parish residence where he dwelled.
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Pope Francis also condoled with the victims of a church bombing in Kasindi, Congo, which left at least 14 people dead and more than 60 injured.
The Pope expressed “compassion and closeness to all the families so hard hit by this tragedy.”
The bombing in the Congolese church occurred the same day Fr. Achi was burned alive in Nigeria. The Islamic State terrorist group took responsibility for the Congo bomb attack.
