In a shocking incident that took place during Sunday Mass, two masked assailants attacked the Santa Maria Church in Istanbul, resulting in the death of one person. The attack occurred at 11:40 a.m. local time in the Sariyer district, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

The armed attackers, whose identities remain unknown, stormed into the church and opened fire on the service-goers. A short video circulating on social media captured the terrifying moment, showing the worshippers hitting the floor for safety as the assailants unleashed gunfire. Fortunately, no other individuals were reported as wounded.

While Turkish authorities have not officially revealed the victim's identity, local media reports suggest that the deceased was a 52-year-old individual with the initials C.T. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mayor Sukru Genc of the Sariyer district disclosed that the gunmen fled the scene when their weapon malfunctioned after firing two rounds. Notably, among the attendees present during the attack were Polish Consul General Witold Lesniak and his family, who fortunately emerged unharmed.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reached out to both Lesniak and Rev. Anton Bulai, the priest of Santa Maria Church, to express his condolences. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu also offered his support and condolences to the religious minorities within the city.

Pope Francis, addressing the public at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, acknowledged the tragic incident, condemning the attack on the Roman Catholic church in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, Turkish authorities have imposed a media ban on coverage of the attack, restricting the dissemination of further information related to the incident.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on capturing the masked assailants responsible for the attack, while prayers and support pour in for the victim and their grieving family. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability faced by religious minority communities and the need for heightened security measures to ensure their safety.