The first American-born pope offered prayers for the victims of last week’s shooting in Minnesota, which killed two children and injured 18 others. On Saturday, a young child passed by a memorial outside Annunciation Church in Minneapolis to honor those lost in the tragedy.
Denouncing the Spread of Weapons
During his weekly address at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV condemned the spread of weapons and mass shootings in the United States. Speaking in English, the Chicago-born pontiff prayed for those affected by the attack at a Catholic school in Minnesota.
“We raise our prayers for the young lives lost and those injured in the tragic school shooting in Minnesota,” he said. “We also remember children harmed around the world each day. May God end this pandemic of weapons, large and small, that poisons our societies.”
Victims Identified
Authorities identified the victims as Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10. Both were killed when a gunman fired over 100 rounds into the Annunciation Catholic School church on Wednesday before taking his own life.
Renewed Gun Control Debate
The massacre has reignited America’s gun control debate. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the routine “thoughts and prayers” responses often voiced by Republicans, urging instead for meaningful solutions to gun violence. The U.S. continues to experience a disproportionately high number of mass shootings compared with other nations.
Pope’s Earlier Condolences
Initially, Pope Leo responded with a telegram of condolence, calling the incident a “terrible tragedy.” He offered prayers for the children killed, the injured, and the first responders.
“While entrusting the souls of the children to God’s eternal love, His Holiness prays for the wounded, the families, the medical teams, and the clergy tending to those affected. He imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a sign of peace and strength to the Annunciation Catholic School community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and the wider Twin Cities area,” the telegram read.
Calls for Global Peace
On Sunday, before addressing the Minnesota shooting, Pope Leo appealed for a ceasefire in Ukraine. He urged both parties to “renounce the logic of weapons” and embrace dialogue backed by the international community.
“The language of weapons must be silenced so that the voices of brotherhood and justice may prevail,” he said.
Reflecting Pope Francis’ stance
His remarks echo the long-standing views of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who frequently criticized the arms trade. In a 2015 address to the U.S. Congress, Francis called weapons producers “merchants of death” and questioned why such instruments of killing were sold.
“We all know the answer: money,” Francis said. “Money drenched in innocent blood. It is our duty to confront this shame and put an end to the arms industry.”
