As far as we know, the man, identified as CT, killed this morning in an attack in an Italian church in Istanbul is a Turkish citizen.
According to some reconstructions, while mass was in progress the two armed men entered shooting into the air, but the man, who is believed to be a homeless man who often finds refuge in the church, stood up screaming at the two attackers who shot and killed him.
Two masked people broke into the church of Santa Maria around 11.40am (9.40am in Italy) and attacked with a gun a man, identified by the initials CT, who was attending the service and who lost his life.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported this on X, adding that "efforts to capture the attackers" are underway.
"We strongly condemn this cowardly attack," concluded the minister.
The Pope, proximity to church community attacked in Istanbul
"I express my closeness to the community of the church of Santa Maria in Sariyer, in Istanbul, which suffered an armed attack during mass which caused one death and several injuries".
Pope Francis said this at the Angelus.
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