Pope Leo XVI prayed publicly on Sunday for the victims of the shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota and known as for an finish to the “pandemic of arms, giant and small.”
The U.S.-born pope spoke in English as he denounced the assault and the “logic of weapons” fueling wars all over the world, throughout his Sunday midday blessing from his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Sq. in Rome.
“Our prayers for the victims of the tragic taking pictures throughout a faculty Mass within the American state of Minnesota,” Leo mentioned. “We maintain in our prayers the numerous kids killed and injured daily all over the world. Allow us to plead God to cease the pandemic of arms, giant and small, which infects our world.”
Two children – 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moysk – had been killed Wednesday, and 20 folks had been injured throughout a taking pictures assault on the Church of Annunciation in Minneapolis, as a whole lot of scholars from the close by Annunciation Catholic College and others gathered for a Mass marking the start of the varsity 12 months.
ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP through Getty Photographs
The shooter, who later died by suicide, fired 116 rifle rounds by way of the church’s stained-glass window.
Within the fast aftermath of the taking pictures, Leo had kept away from any political commentary about weapons in America, sending a telegram of condolence that targeted completely on the religious. He expressed disappointment over the “horrible tragedy” and prolonged his “heartfelt condolences and the peace of mind of religious closeness to all these affected.”
Leo had opened his attraction on Sunday by demanding a right away ceasefire in Ukraine and a “severe dedication to dialogue” from the warring sides.
“It is time that these accountable surrender the logic of weapons and take the trail of negotiations and peace, with the assist of the worldwide neighborhood,” he mentioned. “The voice of weapons should be silenced, whereas the voice of fraternity and justice should rise.”
