'The church stays close to you' - Pope Francis welcomes victims of Nice attack at Vatican

'You can respond to the assaults of the devil only with the works of God...'

Pope Francis welcomed relatives of the victims of the Nice, France attack on Saturday to encourage them to resist the need to "respond to hatred with hatred and to violence with violence."

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to the Catholic Herald, Pope Francis welcomed several families, including those from Christian, Muslim and Jewish backgrounds.

He apologized for speaking Italian after explaining his French was lacking, but a prelate translated his words into French for those in attendance.

The Holy Father offered compassion in exchange for symbolic gifts and shared his thoughts on how religious and political leaders could make a positive change.

He stated: "It cheers me to see that, among you, inter-religious relations are very strong, and this cannot but help contribute to alleviating the wounds of these dramatic events."

The former mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, presented the Pontiff with a basket of 86 glowers, symbolizing the 86 victims of the attack, when an Islamic extremist drove a truck through a crowded sidewalk on Bastille Day.

Pope Francis claimed religious and political leaders should make their priority the establishment of a "sincere dialogue and fraternal relations among all, especially among all those who believe in a God who is one and merciful.

"When the temptation to turn inwards on oneself, or to respond to hatred with hatred and to violence with violence, is great, authentic conversion of the heart is needed.

"You can respond to the assaults of the devil only with the works of God, which are forgiveness, love and respect for one's neighbors, even if they are different."

Many present wept as Pope Francis spoke and the Holy Father spoke to each individually.

He wiped tears from faces as family members of the victims clutched photos of their loved ones. Some asked to pose with the Pontiff in photos on behalf of others, who were unable to attend the audience.

Pope Francis graciously consented and shared: "I pray to the God of mercy also for those who were wounded, in some cases atrociously mutilated, in flesh and in spirit and I don't forget all those who for that reason weren't able to come here or are still in [the] hospital.

"The church stays close to you and accompanies you with immense compassion," The Pontiff concluded, leaving the audience touched by both his words and his compassion.

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