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Pope Leo XIV has sent an assurance of prayers after two children were killed and 20 other people were wounded during a shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 27.
The shooter opened fire from outside the church, firing through the stained glass, as the school children from the Annunciation primary school were gathered for the opening Mass of the year.
Read the details here.
The Holy Father expressed his condolences to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis and prayed for the victims and survivors of the shooting in a telegram sent through his Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
"His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was profoundly saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries following the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, and he sends 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. 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 brief statement from the vice president of the US bishops' conference, Archbishop William Lori, said:
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.
Healing only God can bring
The archdiocese also released a statement, announcing a prayer vigil to be held tonight. The archbishop asked for continued prayer, "that the healing that only God can bring will be poured out on all those who were present at this morning’s Mass."
The prelate also noted the shooting only the previous afternoon near Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. That school is only a few miles away from Annunciation. One person was killed and six others were injured in the Tuesday crime, which authorities do not think is related to today's tragedy.
These two shootings are combined with two others that have happened in the city in a span of 24 hours, with a total of five deaths and 25 injuries.
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Here is the Archbishop's statement:
I am so grateful 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.
I beg for the continued prayers of all of the priests and faithful of this Archdiocese, as well for the prayers of all men and women of good will, 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.
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.
Members of the Archdiocesan staff are working with the parish and school teams to make sure they have the support and resources they need at this time and beyond.
All are invited for a prayer service this evening at 7 p.m. at the Academy of Holy Angels, 6600 Nicollet Ave, in Richfield.
Our Lady, Queen of Sorrows, pray for us.
