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Pope Leo XIV told the new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, that he is praying for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as well as his wife and children, following his murder last week in Utah, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

Leo also expressed concern about political violence and addressed the need "to refrain from rhetoric and exploitation that lead to polarization rather than dialogue," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement, according to Vatican News.

The pope's remarks came on Saturday, when he received the ambassador in an audience to receive his credentials, marking the first meeting between the two.

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