The President of France is calling for unity after a terrorist attack at a Nice church.

BBC says three people were killed during the first Mass of the day at the Notre-Dame basilica in Nice, France. They say a woman in her 70s was virtually beheaded" inside the basilica and the throat of a man in his 40s or 50s was cut. They say a third victim, a woman in her 30s or 40s was stabbed several times, fled to a nearby cafe, but then died.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms these attacks which represent attacks on our shared values. We stand united and firm in our solidarity with France, with the French people and with the Government of France - in our common and continued fight against terrorism and violent extremism," the European Council says in a written statement.

Joint statement by the members of the European Council on the terrorist attacks in France: https://t.co/8cmGLbGkgd#EUCO #Nice pic.twitter.com/l5hXXEY0DL

— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) October 29, 2020

President Macron says the country is stepping up enforcement.

"Catholics, You have the support of the whole Nation. Our country is our values, that everyone can believe or not believe, that each religion can be exercised. Our determination is absolute. Actions will follow to protect all of our fellow citizens," the president tweets.

Macron says Operation Sentinel will go from 3,000 to 7,000 soldiers on the street, protecting churches and schools.

"Whatever your religion, believer or not, we must unite in these moments. Do not give in to the spirit of division."

Françaises, Français,
Quelle que soit votre religion, croyant ou non, nous devons dans ces moments nous unir. Ne rien céder à l'esprit de division.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 29, 2020

Macron has denounced the event as a terrorist act.

"In France, there is only one community, it is the national community"

Marcon says this is the third terrorist act to his the nation

"I know the shock you feel, with you the whole country, and I believe it, the whole world. Let us not give in to any spirit of terror."

The Mayor of Nice, tweets "We are at war."

Nous sommes en guerre. Ce matin, l’islamofascisme frappait #Nice06 au cœur. Parce qu’on ne gagne pas une guerre avec les lois de la paix, il faut réunir le Congrès dès la semaine prochaine pour donner des pouvoirs supplémentaires, exceptionnels et temporaires au Chef des Armées. pic.twitter.com/VGTjvfSgEX

— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) October 29, 2020

The Congress will be convening to give "exceptional and temporary powers" to France's Army Chief.

The Pope says he is praying.

"I am close to the Catholic community of #Nice, mourning the attack that sowed death in a place of prayer and consolation. I pray for the victims, for their families and for the beloved French people, that they may respond to evil with good," Pope Francis tweets.

I am close to the Catholic community of #Nice, mourning the attack that sowed death in a place of prayer and consolation. I pray for the victims, for their families and for the beloved French people, that they may respond to evil with good.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) October 29, 2020

The Bishop's Conference in France shares a prayer of hope.

"Lord,

We entrust our country to you as it has just experienced a new dramatic event through the assassination of several people in the Notre Dame basilica in Nice.

Your Son, on the Cross, cried out the despair of our humanity. Hear our cry. He also leads us in his resurrection. May he root us in genuine hope.

We pray for the deceased and their families. We entrust their pain to you.

We pray for the Christian community and all the inhabitants of the city of Nice. Give especially to Catholics to be comforted and renewed in their evangelical witness.

On the eve of All Saints' Day, may the Holy Spirit make us, more than ever, builders of peace, in justice and truth."

Through the intercession of Our Lady, we pray to you."

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