Pope Francis pained by a ‘brutal attack’ in South Sudan that killed Catholic nuns.

Pope Francis has expressed his sympathies following a violent attack on a group of Catholic religious sisters and others in South Sudan on Monday that left five people dead.

“Honourable His Holiness “The cruel attack on a group of Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus deeply pained Pope Francis,” the Aug. 17 message said.

Five individuals were killed in a road ambush along a highway in South Sudan on Aug. 16, including Catholic nuns Sr. Mary Daniel Abud and Sr. Regina Roba.

The two were part of a group of seven Catholic sisters traveling by bus from Assumption of Our Lady Parish in Nimule, about 120 miles south, to Juba, South Sudan’s capital.

Sister Christine John Amaa told CNA’s partner agency, ACI Africa, that the sisters were in Nimule to commemorate the parish’s 100th anniversary on Aug. 15.

Amaa wrote in an email on Aug. 16 that the dead sisters’ religious order, the Congregation of Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was founded at Assumption of Our Lady Parish.

In his message, Pope Francis expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to the families and religious community of the sisters killed in “this horrible act of murder.”

His Holiness prays for their eternal rest and the comfort of those who mourn their death, believing that their sacrifice will advance the cause of peace, reconciliation, and security in the region, according to the telegram signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The message ended with an invocation of the Lord’s comfort and peace for everyone attending the sisters’ funeral. In addition, the Pope gave his apostolic blessing.

Sister Amaa told ACI Africa that the nuns were ambushed by unidentified gunmen while traveling along the Juba-Nimule Road, which connects South Sudan and Uganda.

She stated in an email that the seven sisters and others traveling with them “tried to flee the scene and hid in various bushes around.” Sr. Mary Daniel was lying down when the attackers arrived and shot her.

“The perpetrators chased the Sisters to the bush and shot Sr. Regina in her back while she was running, and Sr. Antonietta managed to flee,” Sr. Bakhita K. Francis told ACI Africa in another email. Sr. Regina was discovered alive but died in a Juba hospital.”

Sr. Mary Daniel Abud and a driver, according to Sr. Francis, were killed instantly by bullets.

In addition to the two sisters, a male driver and another guy were slain in the incident, according to Eye Radio. According to South Sudanese radio, a guy driving a Boda Boda motorcycle taxi was also murdered when he was hit by a speeding truck “fleeing from the attack.”

In honor of the two sisters’ deaths, the Archdiocese of Juba has declared a four-day closure of its Catholic schools, universities, and seminaries from August 17 to 20.

The archdiocese is also holding daily Masses in memory of the two South Sudanese religious sisters who were murdered.

From 2006 to 2018, Sr. Abud served as Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She was the head teacher at the Usratuna school in Juba at the time of her death.