Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Sunday denounced what he called the “pandemic of arms, large and small,” as he prayed publicly for the victims of the shooting at a Catholic school Mass in the United States.

History’s first US pope spoke in English as he appealed for an end to the “logic of weapons” and urged that a culture of fraternity prevail during his Sunday noon blessing from his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Prayers for the victims

“Our prayers for the victims of the tragic shooting during a school Mass in the American state of Minnesota,” said the Chicago-born Leo. “We hold in our prayers the countless children killed and injured every day around the world. Let us plead God to stop the pandemic of arms, large and small, which infects our world.”

Details of the attack

Two children were killed and 20 people were injured during the shooting at the Church of Annunciation in Minneapolis, where hundreds of students from the nearby Annunciation Catholic School and others had gathered for Mass. The attacker fired 116 rifle rounds through the church’s stained-glass windows before dying by suicide.

Earlier condolences

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Leo refrained from political commentary on guns. He sent a telegram of condolence, expressing sadness over the “terrible tragedy” and extending “heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected.”