Francis, whose papacy has stressed the need for religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue, met Thursday with some 200 representatives of various religions, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
He told them: "It is horrible that at times, to justify such barbarism, the name of a religion or the name of God himself is invoked. May there be clear condemnation of these iniquitous attitudes that profane the name of God and sully the religious quest of mankind."