Pope Francis calls us to use 'weapons of love' to combat the evils of the world

During his Easter Mass, the Pope asked to fight evil with love.

Following the Brussels terror attack, Pope Francis stood before the faithful at St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday to deliver a Mass that included instructions on how to combat the evil of "blind and brutal violence."

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - During the Pontiff's Easter Mass, he referenced the victims of ISIS terrorists and offered the faithful a method of fighting the senseless violence.

His Holiness urged us to use the "weapons of love" to fight terror - a method he has urged us to utilize before.

Pope Francis also spoke of the brutality of terrorism, saying: "May He draw us closer on this Easter feast to the victims of terrorism, that blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world, as in the recent attacks in Belgium, Turkey, Nigeria, Chat, Cameroon, and Côte d'Ivoire."

He referenced Revelation 21:5-6, which states "See, I am making all things new... To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life," then hoped Christ's message would help us "set out anew with greater courage to blaze trails of reconciliation with God and with all our brothers and sisters. ... [Of this] we have great need!

With ISIS claiming responsibility for terror attacks throughout Europe, Iraq and Syria - and several governing bodies attempting to bring the organization to its knees -  the power of prayer has become necessary to provide spiritual backup for ourselves, the victims of terror and the terrorists themselves.

The pontiff gave his condolences to the survivors and families of the ISIS attack in Iskanderiyeh, Iraq, which killed at least 29 people after a football game. His Holiness also promised prayers to the other innocents in terror-stricken countries.

In a message to "the appropriate national authorities," Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Catholic Church's Secretary of State, relayed a message from Pope Francis, reading:

"Saddened by the news of the great loss of life caused by the terrorist attack in Iskanderiyah, His Holiness Pope Francis offers fervent prayers for the victims and their families, invoking God's mercy upon the dead and divine consolation upon those who suffer.

"He prays that in response to this act of senseless violence the Iraqi people will be strengthened in their resolve to reject the ways of hatred and conflict and to work together fearlessly for a future of mutual respect, solidarity and freedom."

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