Pope ‘Profoundly Saddened’ by Deadly Shooting in US Catholic School

Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep sorrow over the deadly shooting that struck a Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, leaving two children dead and at least 17 others injured.

In a telegram addressed to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, the Pope conveyed his condolences and assured the grieving community of his prayers.

“The Holy Father was profoundly saddened to learn of the senseless attack which occurred during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School,” the message read. “He expresses his heartfelt spiritual closeness to the families who have lost their little ones, to those wounded, and to all those affected by this tragedy.”

The attack unfolded as pupils and staff gathered for morning Mass. Witnesses said chaos erupted when the gunman opened fire inside the school, targeting worshippers. Authorities confirmed that two young children were killed, while the injured including both students and adults were rushed to nearby hospitals.

The FBI has opened an investigation, treating the incident as both domestic terrorism and a possible hate crime against Catholics. Federal agents are working alongside local law enforcement to determine the motive and whether the suspect had ties to extremist groups.

In his statement, Pope Leo XIV called on leaders to resist the “culture of hatred and violence” and urged communities to embrace peace and reconciliation. He also invoked “God’s healing and comfort” for those scarred by the attack.

The shooting has reignited America’s long-running debate over gun control, particularly in places of worship and schools. Civil rights groups and Catholic leaders have condemned the attack, describing it as a direct assault on religious freedom and the sanctity of life.

Archbishop Hebda, addressing reporters, said the local church community was “devastated” but would remain “rooted in faith and hope, even in the face of such cruelty.”

The tragedy adds to a grim list of mass shootings in the United States, which have increasingly targeted schools and religious institutions over the past decade.