Pope calls for an end to the 'epidemic of weaponry' while offering prayers for the victims of the Minnesota school shooting incident
In the wake of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has been a vocal advocate for peace, particularly in the conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing debate over gun violence in the United States.
During his Sunday appeal, Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, urging the leaders and parties involved to abandon the logic of weapons and commit to serious dialogue and peace negotiations. He emphasized this appeal repeatedly, stressing the need for a "serious commitment to dialogue" from the warring sides.
The Pope's call for peace came after a tragic shooting at the Church of Annunciation in Minneapolis, United States. Two children were killed, and 20 people were injured in the incident. The shooter, who later died by suicide, fired 116 rifle rounds.
Pope Leo XIV was saddened by the "terrible tragedy" at the Church of Annunciation and offered heartfelt condolences and spiritual closeness to all those affected. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, he sent a telegram of condolence that focused exclusively on the spiritual.
The shooting at the Church of Annunciation reignited the debate over guns in America. Pope Leo XIV, speaking in English during his Sunday noon blessing, did not directly address the issue of gun control but called for the voice of weapons to be silenced and the voice of fraternity and justice to rise.
This is not the first time Pope Leo XIV has spoken out against gun violence. In a similar vein to his predecessor, Pope Francis, he denounced gun manufacturers as "merchants of death" and questioned why weapons were being sold purely to kill. He demanded a "serious commitment to dialogue" from those responsible for the conflict in Ukraine and made a public call for an end to the "pandemic of arms, large and small."
Pope Francis, in his 2015 speech to the U.S. Congress, urged the need to confront the problem and stop the arms trade. He stated that the answer to the question of why weapons are being sold is simply for money, "drenched in blood, often innocent blood." Those who support stricter gun laws in America often accuse Republican politicians of using "thoughts and prayers" to distract from inaction on gun restrictions.
As Pope Leo XIV continues his papacy, his calls for peace and an end to violence are likely to remain a central theme in his message to the international community.
