Pope Francis expressed his condolences and sorrow at the assassination of Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan. He was shot on Friday while giving a speech in the city of Nara.
“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the assassination of Mr. Shinzo Abe, former prime minister of Japan, and he offers heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the people of Japan,” the July 9 telegram, signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said.
“In the wake of this senseless act, he prays that Japanese society will be strengthened in its historic commitment to peace and nonviolence.”
The 67 year old politician was assassinated when he was giving a campaign speech on a street in the south-central Japanese city of Nara on Friday morning.
Doctors said the politician suffered gun wounds to his neck and heart, according to the BBC. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 5:00 p.m. local time on July 8.
A 41-year-old suspect, now in police custody, admitted to using a homemade gun to shoot Abe.