Shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, USA (ANSA)
Pope Leo expresses sorrow over shooting at Catholic
school in Minneapolis
Pope Leo XIV expresses profound sorrow over the murder of
two children and the injuring of 17 others at the Annunciation Catholic church
and school complex in the US city of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
By Vatican News
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.
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."
Prayers for the victims, wounded and those assisting
The telegram, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary
of State, says the Pope commends "the souls of the deceased children to
the love of Almighty God" and "prays for the wounded as well as the
first responders, medical personnel and clergy who are caring for them and
their loved ones.
As a "pledge of peace, fortitude and consolation in the
Lord Jesus," Pope Leo imparted hhis Apostolic Blessing upon "the
Annunciation Catholic School Community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and
Minneapolis and the people of the greater twin cities metropolitan area."
More on the shooting
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 at 8:30 in the morning local time 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 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 remains
unknown.
Prayers for all affected
Archbishop William Lori, vice-president of the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement, saying, “As a Church,
we are following the tragic news from Annunciation School in Minneapolis with
heartbreaking sadness. Whenever one part of the Body of Christ is wounded, we
feel the pain as if it were our very own children. Let us all beg the Lord for
the protection and healing of the entire Annunciation family.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in a post on X, said,
"I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will
continue to provide updates as we get more information. The BCA and State
Patrol are on scene. I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of
school was marred by this horrific act of violence."
Speaking on Truth Social media, US President Donald Trump
said, "I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis,
Minnesota...the FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White
House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in
praying for everyone involved!"
In the 12 hours preceding the shooting at Annunciation
School in southwest Minneapolis, there had been 12 other shootings in the city,
resulting in eight people injured and three killed, according to the local
police department. “The level of gun violence in the city in recent hours is
deeply disturbing,” the department commented.
Archbishop Hebda: "Our Lady, Queen of Sorrows, pray for
us"
Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis released a statement
on Wednesday afternoon expressing his profound gratitude "for the many
promises of prayers that have been coming in from the Holy Father, Pope Leo,
and from so many from all around the globe, all praying for the families of
Annunciation Parish and School and for all who were impacted by this morning’s
senseless violence." He asked for the continued prayers of all of the
priests and faithful the Archdiocese, and all men and women of good will, so
that "the healing that only God can bring will be poured out on all those
who were present at this morning’s Mass and particularly for the affected
families who are only now beginning to comprehend the trauma they sustained. We
lift up the souls of those who lost their lives to our loving God through the
intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Peace."
The Archbishop added that, "My heart is broken as I
think about students, teachers, clergy and parishioners and the horror they
witnessed in a Church, a place where we should feel safe. That today’s tragedy
occurred only a day after the tragic shooting near Christo Rey High School
increases the sadness about the pain and anger that is present in our communities.
We need an end to gun violence. Our community is rightfully outraged at such
horrific acts of violence perpetrated against the vulnerable and
innocent. They are far too commonplace. While we need to commit to
working to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies, we also need to remind
ourselves that we have a God of peace and of love, and that it is his love that
we will need most as we strive to embrace those who are hurting so deeply...
Our Lady, Queen of Sorrows, pray for us."
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