WATCH: Obama says he is 'heartbroken' by Manchester attack in video with Justin Welby and Angela Merkel

Barack Obama, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Angela Merkel gave a message of support for Manchester. Lambeth Palace/YouTube

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has been joined in a video message by Barack Obama and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel who expressed their sympathies for the victims of the Manchester attack.

The three prominent Christians met in Berlin where tens of thousands have gathered for the Kirchentag, in a series of events marking the 500<sup>th anniversary of the Reformation with Germany's Protestant Church Assembly.

Archbishop Welby said: 'There is so much sympathy here for the people of Manchester and I have the privilege of being with President Obama and with Chancellor Angela Merkel.'

Obama said: 'As a father of two daughters I'm heartbroken by the extraordinary tragedy in Manchester.

'It's unimaginable to think about the cruelty and violence the city has suffered. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

'What I want to emphasise is that through faith and resolve the character of Manchester has shown itself with kindness.

Obama added: 'The entire world is in solidarity with you.'

Welby ends the short video by recalling the words of the Bishop of Manchester David Walker, who said on Tuesday: 'Love conquers hate.'

Obama will travel from Berlin to Edinburgh tomorrow where he will address philanthropy and business leaders.

News
MP calls for emergency meeting to end case against suspended Christian nurse
MP calls for emergency meeting to end case against suspended Christian nurse

Shadow equalities minister, Claire Coutinho MP, has called for an end to the case against Christian nurse Jennifer Melle, who is facing disciplinary proceedings for misgendering a convicted paedophile.

Hundreds of churches in Germany being targeted with vandalism and theft
Hundreds of churches in Germany being targeted with vandalism and theft

The cost of the damage to both churches and chapels runs into hundreds of thousands of euros.

Nigerian authorities secure release of 100 kidnapped Catholic school children
Nigerian authorities secure release of 100 kidnapped Catholic school children

The fate of more than 160 other students and staff members abducted in the same attack remains unknown.

EU urged to combat violations of religious freedom in South Asia
EU urged to combat violations of religious freedom in South Asia

Citing a dramatic escalation of targeted attacks against Christians and other minorities in their countries, human rights advocates from South Asia called for stronger EU engagement on freedom of religion or belief at a conference in Brussels on December 4.