Pope Francis has demanded justice for the victims of a bomb attack against a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires exactly 20 years ago.
In a recorded video to mark the anniversary, the Pope described the attack as an “act of madness”.
Eighty-five people were killed in the attack, which was masterminded by Iran, according to Argentine courts. Iran denies any involvement.
Last year, Iran and Argentina agreed to set up a truth commission.
Pope Francis said the suffering of the families cannot be forgotten. He was the auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires at the time.
“My prayers for all the victims are accompanied today by my call for justice. Justice must be done,” he said.
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We all have an empty chair at home”
Luis Czyzewski
Father of Amia attack victim
“And may God give peace to all of those who died in this act of madness.”
The video was recorded on the mobile phone of a friend of the Pope and Jewish community leader who went to visit him at the Vatican last month.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the reconstructed Jewish cultural centre and the Justice Palace building to pray for the victims and demand justice.
The old seven storey-building of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (Amia) in the centre of Buenos Aires was completely destroyed by a car bomb on 18 July 1994.
Two years earlier, a bomb attack against the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires had killed 29 people.
In a recorded video to mark the anniversary, the Pope described the attack as an “act of madness”.
Eighty-five people were killed in the attack, which was masterminded by Iran, according to Argentine courts. Iran denies any involvement.
Last year, Iran and Argentina agreed to set up a truth commission.
Pope Francis said the suffering of the families cannot be forgotten. He was the auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires at the time.
“My prayers for all the victims are accompanied today by my call for justice. Justice must be done,” he said.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
We all have an empty chair at home”
Luis Czyzewski
Father of Amia attack victim
“And may God give peace to all of those who died in this act of madness.”
The video was recorded on the mobile phone of a friend of the Pope and Jewish community leader who went to visit him at the Vatican last month.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the reconstructed Jewish cultural centre and the Justice Palace building to pray for the victims and demand justice.
The old seven storey-building of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (Amia) in the centre of Buenos Aires was completely destroyed by a car bomb on 18 July 1994.
Two years earlier, a bomb attack against the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires had killed 29 people.
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