The assailants had escaped.

Pictures from the DHA news agency purportedly came from a security camera outside the church and featured two individuals approaching the structure slowly while wearing black masks and clothing.

The Santa Maria Catholic Church is situated in Istanbul’s Sariyer neighborhood.

Ekrem Imamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul, denounced the assault.

During Sunday prayers in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis showed his support for the people of Istanbul.