Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep grief and spiritual closeness to the families devastated by a tragic shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where two children were killed and 17 others wounded during a morning Mass.
In a telegram sent to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis, the Holy Father conveyed 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, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, entrusted the souls of the deceased to God’s mercy, while also praying for the injured, first responders, medical teams, and clergy supporting the community. As a sign of comfort, Pope Leo imparted his Apostolic Blessing upon the Annunciation Catholic School community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and the wider Twin Cities area.
The attack took place at 8:30 a.m. local time, during a back-to-school Mass held inside the Annunciation church complex, which also houses a school serving preschool to middle school students. According to police reports, the assailant opened fire through chapel windows while children were gathered for worship. Authorities confirmed that an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old lost their lives, while 14 children were among the injured, with seven listed in critical condition. The suspected gunman is believed to have taken his own life after the rampage. The motive remains unclear.
Leaders from the Church and government voiced their sorrow. Archbishop William Lori, vice-president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, noted that the tragedy pierced the heart of the entire Church, saying, “Whenever one part of the Body of Christ is wounded, we feel the pain as if it were our very own children.” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed solidarity with grieving families, while U.S. President Donald Trump called for prayers and confirmed that federal authorities were on the scene.
The Minneapolis Police Department highlighted that the attack came amid a surge in local gun violence, with 12 shootings reported in the city in the preceding 12 hours.
Archbishop Hebda, visibly shaken, appealed to the faithful and all people of goodwill for prayer and unity in the face of horror. “My heart is broken as I think about students, teachers, clergy and parishioners and the terror they endured in a church, a place meant to be safe,” he said. “Our community is outraged at such acts of violence against the innocent. Yet we turn to God, who alone can heal this wound. Our Lady, Queen of Sorrows, pray for us.”
The tragedy has drawn global attention, with the Vatican’s condolences reminding the faithful of the Church’s enduring call to peace, healing, and the defense of the vulnerable against the scourge of violence.