Pope calls blasts 'barbaric acts against humanity'

Vatican City - Pope Benedict on Thursday condemned the blasts in London as "barbaric acts against humanity". He deplored the blasts in a telegram sent by the Vatican's Secretary of State to Britain's Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the archbishop of Westminster. "Deeply saddened by the news of the terrorist attacks in central London, the Holy Father offers fervent prayers for the victims and for all those who mourn," the telegram said.

"While he deplores these barbaric acts against humanity he asks you to convey to the families of the injured his spiritual closeness at this time of grief," it said.

"Upon the people of Great Britain he invokes the consolation that only God can give in such circumstances," it said.

Explosions rocked London, killing several people and wounding scores in what Prime Minister Tony Blair called an apparent terror attack coinciding with a meeting of Group of Eight leaders in Scotland.