Pope Francis Calls For 'Fraternity' Following Murder Of 3 Nuns In Burundi

The Vatican is reportedly mourning the horrific deaths of three nuns who were murdered while working in their convent in the eastern Africa country of Buruni over the weekend.

The three nuns were killed in two separate attacks that took place by an unknown assailant at their convent in Burundi's capital city. The first two nuns, Sister Olga Raschietti, 75, and Lucia Pulicin, 82, were found Sunday afternoon in their rooms by Sister Bernadetta Boggian, 79. The two women had reportedly been raped and killed, with one of the victims having her head almost fully decapitated.

Later that night, the nun who had found the two sisters, Boggian, was also raped and killed. Other sisters in the convent had reportedly expressed worry that the person or persons responsible for the first attack could still be in the convent on Sunday night.

Pope Francis has offered his condolences to the three nuns and the rest of the sisters at the convent, saying in a statement: "The Holy Father begs the Lord to welcome into his kingdom of peace and light these three faithful and devout nuns."

Francis added that he hopes this recent tragedy "may become the seed of hope to build true fraternity between peoples."

The government for the east African country has condemned the brutal act, with Burundi's Vice President Prosper Bazombanza saying in a statement that the government was "appalled by such barbarity."

"No one can understand how a third sister was killed late at night […] Burundi's government promises to shed light on this matter as quickly as possible," he added.