Pope Leo sends quick reaction to deadly shooting at Catholic School in Minneapolis

Pope Leo sent a message Aug. 27 expressing his condolences and prayers just hours after the deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. 

The telegram, sent via Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, states:

“To the Most Reverend Bernard Hebda, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis:

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.”

The Pontiff’s reaction was unusually speedy, considering that it was late at night at the Vatican, and that papal telegrams reacting to catastrophes are usually issued a day after the events take place.

Pope Leo joined the entire Catholic community in grief and prayer just hours after the Aug. 27 shooting. During a Mass marking the first week of school, two children were killed and 17 others were wounded, 14 of them children.