The Vatican on Wednesday condemned the attacks on Christians living in Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR). Pope Francis made the condemnation while speaking at the end of his weekly public audience at the Vatican.

The Pontiff, while describing the attack as shameful, called for the immediate end to all the hate and violence against Christians in the two countries.

“I have been profoundly saddened by the massacre last Sunday in Nigeria, inside a church, where innocent people were killed. And sadly this morning we have news of violence in the Central African Republic against Christian communities,” the Pope said.

“I hope all forms of hate and violence will cease and such shameful crimes in places of worship where the faithful are gathered to pray, will not be repeated,” he added.

On Sunday, not less than 11 worshipers were killed when gunmen stormed a church in south east Nigeria while at least 60 persons have so far lost their lives in clashes between armed groups in Batangafo and Ngaoundaye in the north, Kaya-Bandoro in the centre and Gambo and Alindao in the south of the Central African Republic.