Pope Leo Denounces Pandemic of Arms After Minnesota School Shooting

Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, publicly condemned the 'pandemic of arms, large and small' following a tragic mass shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota that killed two children and injured twenty others. Speaking in English during his Sunday blessing at the Vatican, he prayed for the victims and called for an end to the global proliferation of weapons, urging the international community to silence the 'logic of weapons' and promote peace and fraternity. The shooting, which involved 116 rifle rounds fired through stained-glass windows at the Church of Annunciation in Minneapolis, deeply saddened the pope, who initially responded with a spiritual condolence message. He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and a commitment to dialogue among warring parties, emphasizing the need to replace violence with negotiations. This appeal marked a rare instance of Pope Leo using English publicly, highlighting the gravity of the message. His leadership style contrasts with his predecessor's, as he generally maintains a cautious and reserved tone in public speeches.