Pope Leo XIV delivered a statement to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis after a mass shooting left two children dead and 17 other individuals wounded Wednesday.

The shooting targeted Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, where children had gathered for an all-school Mass at the start of a new school year, according to police. Dozens of shots were fired from outside of the church, with children and parishioners diving for cover beneath pews in the church, officials said.

Rev. Bernard Hebda, who serves as the Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, told assembled media he had received a statement from Pope Leo XIV in the aftermath of Wednesday’s shooting.

The following statement was forwarded by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who serves as secretary of state for the Vatican.

“His

See Full Page