Pope Leo XVI prayed publicly on Sunday for the victims of the capturing at a Catholic faculty in Minnesota and referred to as for an finish to the “pandemic of arms, giant and small.”
The U.S.-born pope spoke in English as he denounced the assault and the “logic of weapons” fueling wars world wide, throughout his Sunday midday blessing from his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Sq. in Rome.
“Our prayers for the victims of the tragic capturing throughout a college Mass within the American state of Minnesota,” Leo stated. “We maintain in our prayers the numerous youngsters killed and injured day-after-day world wide. Allow us to plead God to cease the pandemic of arms, giant and small, which infects our world.”
Two youngsters – 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moysk – have been killed Wednesday, and 20 individuals have been injured throughout a capturing assault on the Church of Annunciation in Minneapolis, as tons of of scholars from the close by Annunciation Catholic College and others gathered for a Mass marking the start of the college 12 months.
ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP through Getty Pictures 
The shooter, who later died by suicide, fired 116 rifle rounds by the church’s stained-glass window.
Within the fast aftermath of the capturing, Leo had shunned any political commentary about weapons in America, sending a telegram of condolence that targeted completely on the religious. He expressed unhappiness over the “horrible tragedy” and prolonged his “heartfelt condolences and the peace of mind of religious closeness to all these affected.”
Leo had opened his attraction on Sunday by demanding an instantaneous ceasefire in Ukraine and a “severe dedication to dialogue” from the warring sides.
“It is time that these accountable resign the logic of weapons and take the trail of negotiations and peace, with the help of the worldwide group,” he stated. “The voice of weapons should be silenced, whereas the voice of fraternity and justice should rise.”
