An attack killed three people Thursday morning at the Notre-Dame basilica in Nice.

Vincent Neymon, spokesperson for the French Bishops' Conference, said on Europe 1 "refuse to give in to the fear that they want to impose on us".

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Three people who were in the Notre-Dame de l'Assomption basilica, in the center of Nice, were killed Thursday morning.

The sacristan and two faithful who came to pray died during this knife attack, which immediately aroused great emotion throughout France and among Catholics.

Vincent Neymon, spokesperson for the Conference of Bishops of France, expressed his "pain" Thursday noon on Europe 1.

"By touching Christians, the objective is to attack a symbol. Despite the pain we are living today, we refuse to give in to the fear that they want to impose on us", he reacted.

"This treacherous and indiscriminate threat must be fought firmly. Terrorism is gangrene which must be fought with all possible means and the same force must be put into a fight for brotherhood", added Vincent Neymon.

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Pope Francis "prays for the victims and for the beloved French people"

The Vatican also condemned this attack.

"It is a moment of pain in a time of confusion. Terrorism and violence can never be accepted," said a statement from Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.

"I am close to the Catholic community of Nice, in mourning after the attack which sowed death in a place of prayer and consolation. I pray for the victims, for their families and for the beloved French people, in order that he can react to evil with good, ”Pope Francis responded on his French Twitter account.

Emmanuel Macron, who denounced an "Islamist terrorist attack", brought "the support of the whole nation to the Catholics".