Pope Leo XIV Demands End to ‘Pandemic of Arms’ Following Deadly Minnesota School Shooting
Pope Leo XIV Demands End to ‘Pandemic of Arms’ Following Deadly Minnesota School Shooting
Pope Leo XIV has issued a powerful condemnation of the “pandemic of arms, large and small,” calling for an immediate global cessation of violence after a horrific school shooting in Minnesota last week. Speaking to crowds in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, the first American pontiff passionately prayed for the victims of the Annunciation Catholic School church massacre in Minneapolis.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and ten-year-old Harper Moyski, and left 18 others injured, when a shooter fired 116 rifle rounds before dying by suicide. The Pope’s address, delivered in English, highlighted the devastating impact of gun violence, stating, “Let us plead God to stop the pandemic of arms, large and small, which infects our world.”
The Minnesota tragedy has reignited intense debate over gun control in the United States, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey advocating for concrete solutions rather than customary “thoughts and prayers.” Pope Leo XIV also used his Sunday appeal to call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, urging all parties to commit to dialogue and renounce the “logic of weapons” in favor of “fraternity and justice.”
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.