VATICAN CITY (BNO NEWS) -- Pope Benedict XVI on Monday expressed his deep sadness about the 'senseless' violence against Christians in Nigeria on Christmas Day, leaving at least 40 people killed and dozens more injured.

The bomb and shooting attacks happened on Sunday in the Nigerian cities of Madalla, Jos, Gadaka and Damaturu. Most of the victims died in Madalla, near the capital of Abuja, when a suicide bomber targeted Christians who were leaving the St Theresa's Catholic Church after a morning service.

Addressing tens of thousands of people at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City, the Pope expressed his sadness about the "senseless acts" which left Nigerian lands "drenched with innocent blood." He also expressed his closeness to the Christian community in Nigeria and those who have been affected.

"I bid you all to pray for the many victims," the pontiff added.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said it condemns the attacks. "Regretfully, the attacks at the Church of Saint Theresa's near Abuja, timed to coincide with Christmas Day celebrations, are once against the expression of the cruelty of blind and absurd hatred devoid of any respect for human life and represent an attempt to generate and fuel further hatred and confusion," he said.

Father Lombardi added: "We express our closeness to the suffering of the Church and of all the Nigerian people who have been affected by violent terrorism even during these days that should be of joy and peace. While we pray for the victims, we also express the hope that this senseless violence will not weaken the will for peaceful cohabitation and dialogue in the nation."

According to Nigerian media reports, the Boko Haram Islamist militant group has claimed responsibility for the deadly Christmas Day attacks. The group has been blamed for most of the region's terrorist attacks and seeks the imposition of an extremist stance of the Shariah law, which is a Muslim code of conduct. The group's name, in the local language of Hausa, roughly translates as 'Western religion is sacrilegious' or 'non-Islamic religion is a sin.'

In early November, a series of bomb and shooting attacks targeting police stations, mosques and churches in northeastern Nigeria left at least 82 people killed and more than 100 injured. The attacks, also claimed by Boko Haram, happened just before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

On Christmas Eve 2010, at least 80 people were killed when a series of bomb blasts rocked multiple locations in Jos, including a Catholic church. Two churches in Maiduguri were also attacked by gunmen on the same day, leaving six more people killed.

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