Good Friday "came early" in Brussels, the city's bishop mournfully noted, following the Holy Week terrorist attacks in the Belgian capital on Tuesday.
"Good Friday has come three days early with these totally absurd actions," Auxiliary Bishop Jean Kockerols of Mechelen-Brussels said moments after the attacks that killed at least 30 people and wounded 230 others, the Catholic News Agency reported.
Christians commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ at Calvary on Good Friday. It is traditionally a day of fasting and penance.
"I weep with those who weep, wherever they are. The first reaction, completely normal, is to condemn these totally absurd actions," Kockerols said.
"The reaction of Christians ought to be first of all one of compassion with those affected, with those who are grieving," he continued. "I am thinking of the victims and their families, we are together in prayer, in friendship."
At least two men detonated bombs at Brussels Zaventem international airport about 8 a.m. local time. About 80 minutes later, one explosion struck a city metro station near the European Union headquarters.
The Islamic State (ISIS) later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Kockerols related the attacks on the Christian observance of Holy Week. "We have adopted the courageous attitude of Mary who was with the disciples," he said. "She remained there at the foot of the Cross. Scripture records none of her words, but tells us she was there. This is the attitude of Christians who remain, who live in a still hidden hope in face of the incomprehensible."
At the Vatican, Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims of attacks, condemning the acts as "blind violence."
"Upon learning of the attacks in Brussels, which have affected many people, His Holiness Pope Francis entrusted to the mercy of God the people who have lost their lives and joins those close to them in prayer for the death of their relatives," said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, according to CNA.
Parolin said Pope Francis expresses "deep sympathy for the wounded, for their families and for all those contributing to relief efforts," and prayed that the Lord would bring them comfort and consolation.
Pope Francis, he said, "again condemns the blind violence which has caused so much suffering, and he implores God for the gift of peace, invoking upon the grieving families and on all Belgians the benefit of divine blessings."
Pope Francis also offered prayers over the weekend for the victims of both a plane crash in Russia and a suicide bombing in Istanbul.
"His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the tragic air accident in Rostov-on-Don and he sends his sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims," said a telegram from Parolin.
"His Holiness commends the souls of the dead to the mercy of Almighty God and implores the divine gifts of consolation, strength and hope upon all who mourn their loss."
Early on Saturday, a flight from the United Arab Emirates crashed while attempting to land in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. All 62 passengers were killed.
Also on Saturday, a suicide bomber attacked a busy shopping street in Istanbul, killing four. Authorities have identified the bomber as a Turkish citizen with links to ISIS.
