Catholics around the world are uniting in grief and prayer after a tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, where two children—just 8 and 10 years old—were killed during a morning Mass. Fourteen others, including several children, were injured in the attack.
Pope Leo XIV’s Message of Sorrow and Consolation
Upon learning of the tragedy, Pope Leo XIV expressed “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” in a telegram sent to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis, according to Vatican News.
The message, conveyed through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, emphasized that the Holy Father was entrusting the souls of the young victims to God while praying for those wounded and for the many who rushed to their aid. “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,” the telegram read (Vatican News).
At the close of his message, Pope Leo extended his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of “peace, fortitude and consolation in the Lord Jesus” to the Annunciation School community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and all those living in the Twin Cities metropolitan area (Vatican News).
A Community in Shock
The attack unfolded at 8:30 a.m. local time, just as students and parishioners were gathered for a back-to-school Mass. Police later confirmed that the gunman took his own life after opening fire on the church and school grounds. At least six of the injured children were taken to local hospitals, and two remain in critical condition (Vatican News).
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the act “horrific,” posting on X that he was praying for the children and teachers whose first week of school was shattered by violence. He also confirmed that the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and State Patrol were on the scene (Vatican News).
From Washington, President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he had been “fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota,” and noted that the FBI responded immediately. He asked Americans to “please join me in praying for everyone involved!” (Vatican News).
A Call to Prayer Amid Ongoing Violence
The motive for the attack remains unknown. Yet the wider context is troubling: within just twelve hours before the Annunciation tragedy, there were 12 other shootings across Minneapolis, leaving three dead and eight injured, according to local police reports cited by Vatican News. Authorities described the surge in violence as “deeply disturbing.”
For Catholics, the Holy Father’s prayerful solidarity stands as a reminder of Christ’s nearness even in devastating loss. As the Annunciation parish and school grieve, the universal Church is called to pray for the children who died, the many still fighting for life, and for peace to return to a wounded community.
