Pope Benedict XVI deplored the slaying of an Italian missionary nun in Somalia and called for mutual respect of religious convictions among peoples.

A telegram sent in the pope's name by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, called the Sept. 17 killing of Consolata Sister Leonella Sgorbati tragic and barbaric.

The pope said he hoped that "the blood shed by such a faithful disciple of the Gospel may become a seed of hope for building authentic fraternity between peoples, in the mutual respect of the religious convictions of every person."

The papal telegram was sent to the head of the Consolata religious order in Rome and was made public Sept. 19.

Sister Leonella and her bodyguard were shot and killed as they left a children's hospital in Mogadishu where she worked. Authorities arrested one suspect and said they believed a second gunman was involved.

A spokesman for the Supreme Islamic Courts Council, which controls and administers Mogadishu, said there was no established link between the slaying and the widespread indignation among Muslims over a recent speech by Pope Benedict in Germany.

The papal telegram said Sister Leonella had carried out her mission with joy, working in favor of children and health formation. Her work was appreciated, it said.

Islamic leaders in Somalia have condemned the killing, emphasizing that Sister Leonella was dedicating her efforts to the Somali people. The 65-year-old nun had worked in Africa for 35 years and had been in Somalia since 2001.

According to Sister Marzia Feurra, who was with her after she was shot, Sister Leonella murmured "I forgive" three times before dying.

Bishop Giorgio Bertin, apostolic administrator of Mogadishu, told the Vatican's Fides news agency that tensions have been increasing in Somalia for a number of reasons, including inflammatory statements by extremists.

"In Somalia there is a struggle for power in which religion is exploited," he said.

The bishop said the aim of the gunmen was to "to strike a Catholic nun, any nun. The ambush was premeditated. The killers knew at what time Sister would go home for lunch and they knew where to strike."

---CNS