Pope condemns Northern Ireland attacks

Pope Benedict condemned the killings in Northern Ireland of two British soldiers and a policeman by republican dissidents which have threatened a return to conflict.

"I condemn in the strongest terms these abominable acts of terrorism which, apart from desecrating human life, seriously endanger the ongoing peace process in Northern Ireland," said the pontiff at his weekly general audience today.

"I ask the Lord that no one will again give in to the horrendous temptation of violence," he said. The Continuity IRA killed a policeman on Monday two days after another splinter group shot dead the British soldiers at an army base in attacks that raised fears of a backlash from pro-British loyalists.