In Egypt, at least 26 people, mostly children, were killed and 25 others injured today when masked gunmen wearing army uniforms opened fire on a bus carrying Coptic Christians.<br/><br/>This is the second major attack on the community in nearly two months. The bus came under attack when it was heading to Anba Samuel monastery in the Minya Governorate, 250 kms south of Cairo. No group immediately said it is behind the attack. But Islamic State militants have targeted Copts several times in recent months, and vowed to do so again.<br/><br/>Two suicide bombings at Palm Sunday services at churches in the northern cities of Alexandria and Tanta on the 9th of last month left 46 people dead. <br/><br/>Egypt had imposed a nationwide three-month state of emergency after the April bombings, with the option to extend for another three months.<br/><br/>The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent a telegram to Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Sisi, where he conveys Pope Francis's solidarity with all those people who were affected by the shameful violence.

In Egypt, at least 26 people, mostly children, were killed and 25 others injured today when masked gunmen wearing army uniforms opened fire on a bus carrying Coptic Christians.<br/><br/>This is the second major attack on the community in nearly two months. The bus came under attack when it was heading to Anba Samuel monastery in the Minya Governorate, 250 kms south of Cairo. No group immediately said it is behind the attack. But Islamic State militants have targeted Copts several times in recent months, and vowed to do so again.<br/><br/>Two suicide bombings at Palm Sunday services at churches in the northern cities of Alexandria and Tanta on the 9th of last month left 46 people dead. <br/><br/>Egypt had imposed a nationwide three-month state of emergency after the April bombings, with the option to extend for another three months.