In the aftermath of the horrible attacks on Paris on Friday, leaders and heads of state from across the globe are showing their support to France with strong pledges and concern for the victims involved. One of the strongest is likely Pope Francis, coming out with a statement on Saturday morning that calls the attack the latest “piece” in World War III:
“I am close to the people of France, to the families of the victims, and I am praying for all of them,” the pontiff said in an interview. “I am moved and I am saddened. I do not understand, these things hard to understand.”
“There is no religious or human justification for (the attacks),” he added. The pontiff also called the attacks “a piece” of the “piecemeal Third World War.”
Pope Francis calls Paris massacre part of "piecemeal Third World War." https://t.co/7hflPw2SPS pic.twitter.com/SVFT2uwW8D
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) November 14, 2015
Barack Obama spoke ahead of the G20 meeting today, noting that this is “an attack on humanity” and not just on the people of France:
“The French people have stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States time and again…And we want to be very clear that we stand together with them in the fight against terrorism and extremism.”
European leaders are also showing solidarity in the face of ISIS’ attack, with UK Prime Minister David Cameron calling the attack “the worst act of violence in France since the Second World War” and German Chancellor Angela Merkel claiming the attacks to be an “attack on freedom.” Even Iranian President Hassan Rouhani condemned the attacks and the ” evil phenomenon of terrorism.”
The toughest words came from Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Francois Hollande, referring to ISIS as barbaric and promising to fight them. Hollande’s statement in particular carried a lot of weight, pointing towards a heightened response:
Friday’s attacks were “committed by a terrorist army, the Islamic State group, a jihadist army, against France, against the values that we defend everywhere in the world, against what we are: A free country that means something to the whole planet,” he said, calling the attacks an “act of war.”
“France will be pitiless concerning the barbarity of Daesh”
Today’s G20 meeting is sure to focus heavily on the actions of Friday’s attack, with many of the major players involved in Syria attending.
(Via USA Today)