Pope Francis denounced the violent attacks in Sri Lanka at the end of his traditional Easter Sunday blessing.

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"I want to express my affectionate closeness to the Christian community, struck while it was gathered in prayer, and all the victims of such cruel violence," Francis said, speaking from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican News reported. "I entrust to the Lord all those who were tragically killed and pray for the injured and all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event."

Explosions hit multiple churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing more than 200 people and injuring hundreds more.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

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