Speaking in St Peter’s Square on , Pope Leo XIV — the first US-born pontiff, from Chicago — appealed for an end to what he called a “pandemic of arms” as he prayed for victims of last week’s shooting during a Catholic school Mass in Minneapolis that left two children dead and 18 others injured.
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV addressed crowds in St Peter’s Square and urged an end to the “pandemic of arms, large and small.”
- He prayed for the Minneapolis church community after a school Mass where two children were killed and others seriously wounded.
- The victims were identified as Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10; 18 additional people were injured.
- Authorities said the gunman fired 116 rifle rounds through stained-glass windows before dying by suicide.
- Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey called for concrete gun-control solutions rather than only “thoughts and prayers.”
- The pope had earlier sent a telegram offering condolences and an Apostolic Blessing to the Annunciation Catholic School community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and the wider Twin Cities.
- During the same address, the pope urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and a renewed commitment to negotiations.
- His predecessor, Pope Francis, repeatedly condemned the arms trade, calling gun manufacturers “merchants of death” in a 2015 address to the US Congress.
Verified Facts
During his weekly public prayer with pilgrims in Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV spoke in English to mourn the victims of a shooting that took place during a school Mass in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He urged the faithful to pray for the dead and injured and pressed world leaders and communities to curb the spread and use of weapons, warning of a “pandemic of arms.”
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Annunciation Catholic school church in Minneapolis. Two children — Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10 — were killed. Eighteen others were injured. According to authorities, the attacker fired 116 rifle rounds through the church’s stained-glass windows before dying by suicide.
The violence has rekindled national debate over gun policy. Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey urged lawmakers to prioritize actionable measures on guns instead of issuing statements of sympathy alone. The United States continues to experience a far higher share of mass shootings than other countries.
Before Sunday’s remarks, the Vatican conveyed condolences via telegram, noting prayers for the wounded, first responders, medical staff, clergy, and families. The pope imparted his Apostolic Blessing to the Annunciation Catholic School community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and the broader Twin Cities region.
In the same appearance, the pope called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, urging both sides to “renounce the logic of weapons” and pursue negotiations supported by the international community.
Context & Impact
Pope Leo XIV’s appeal aligns with longstanding Catholic teaching on peace and the sanctity of life. It also echoes Pope Francis’s frequent criticism of the global arms economy and his 2015 admonition in Washington that profits from weapons sales come at the cost of innocent blood.
While papal interventions do not set public policy, they can shape moral discourse. The call to end the “pandemic of arms” adds ecclesial weight to an already urgent American debate over access to firearms, school safety, and community violence prevention.
Locally, the pope’s Apostolic Blessing aims to offer spiritual support as the Annunciation community and the Archdiocese coordinate grief counseling, memorials, and pastoral care. Nationally, the incident may intensify pressure on officials to consider measures that address both the supply of guns and the conditions that enable mass violence.
Official Statements
“Let us stop the pandemic of arms.”
Pope Leo XIV, St Peter’s Square
“We need solutions, not only thoughts and prayers.”
Jacob Frey, mayor of Minneapolis
The Holy Father imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace, fortitude, and consolation.
Vatican telegram (condolences)
Unconfirmed
- Investigators have not publicly detailed the shooter’s motive.
- The specific make and model of the firearm, and how it was obtained, were not reported in the cited accounts.
- The precise format of the papal address (e.g., Angelus) was not specified.
Bottom Line
Pope Leo XIV’s plea from St Peter’s Square links a local tragedy in Minneapolis to a global call for disarmament and peace. By pairing prayers for grieving families with a demand to curb the spread of weapons — and a renewed plea for a Ukraine ceasefire — he placed the moral urgency of protecting children and civilians at the center of public debate.