Pope Leo XIV has expressed his profound sorrow upon learning of the loss of life and injuries following the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the US earlier this morning.
In a telegram sent to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis, the Pope, expressed "his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child."
The message says prayers for the victims, wounded and those assisting.
The telegram, sent in the name of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, continues, "while commending the souls of the deceased children to the love of Almighty God, His Holiness prays for the wounded as well as the first responders, medical personnel and clergy who are caring for them and their loved ones. At this extremely difficult time, the Holy Father imparts to the Annunciation Catholic School Community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the people of the greater twin cities metropolitan area his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace, fortitude and consolation in the Lord Jesus." A man opened fire on worshippers gathered at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, the largest city of the state of Minnesota in the United States.
The attack occurred during a back-to-school mass.
The complex also houses a school attended by children from preschool to middle school.
Only several hours after the shooting did police report that at least two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed, and another 17 were injured, including 14 children with seven resulting in serious condition.
The shooter is believed to have committed suicide after opening fire through the windows where children were attending Mass inside the chapel of the school complex.
The motive behind the attack that took place is still unknown.
[Source: Vatican News]
