Pope Leo XIV has issued a heartfelt appeal for peace and an end to the “pandemic of arms” following a devastating school shooting in Minnesota that claimed the lives of two children and injured 18 others.
During his weekly public prayer with crowds in St. Peter’s Square, the first US pope in history spoke in English, praying for the victims of the tragic shooting during a Catholic school mass.
“We hold in our prayers the countless children killed and injured every day around the world,” Pope Leo XIV said. “Let us plead God to stop the pandemic of arms, large and small, which infects our world.”
The pope’s words echoed the sentiments of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had long decried the weapons industry, calling gun manufacturers “merchants of death”.
The shooting, which occurred at the Annunciation Catholic school church in Minneapolis, resulted in the deaths of Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10.
The shooter fired 116 rifle rounds through the church’s stained glass windows before taking his own life. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called for solutions on gun control, rather than mere “thoughts and prayers” statements, reigniting the debate over guns in the US.
Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for peace extends beyond the US, as he calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and urges both sides to make a “serious commitment to dialogue”.
“It’s time that those responsible renounce the logic of weapons and take the path of negotiations and peace, with the support of the international community,” he said. “The voice of weapons must be silenced, while the voice of fraternity and justice must rise.”
In a recent address, Pope Leo XIV also expressed his deep concern for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, urging an immediate cessation of fighting and the provision of humanitarian aid to the exhausted civilian population. “Let the fighting cease immediately, let humanitarian aid be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and may all hostages be released,” he said.¹
The pope’s message of hope and solidarity comes at a time when the world is plagued by conflicts and violence.
His predecessor, Pope Francis, had also spoken out against the arms trade, highlighting the need for nations to work towards peace and understanding.
“Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood,” Pope Francis said during his speech to the US Congress in 2015.
“In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade.”
As the world grapples with the challenges of violence and conflict, Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace and an end to the “pandemic of arms” serves as a powerful reminder of the need for nations to work towards a more peaceful and just world.
His message is a beacon of hope, urging us to strive for a world where the voice of fraternity and justice rises above the voice of weapons.
Pope Leo XIV’s call to end the “pandemic of arms” has resonated with many, particularly in the context of the recent school shooting in Minnesota that claimed the lives of two children.
The Pope’s words echo the sentiments of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had long decried the weapons industry, calling gun manufacturers “merchants of death”.
This perspective highlights the need for nations to work towards peace and understanding, rather than perpetuating violence and conflict.
From a global perspective, the Pope’s appeal for peace extends beyond the US, as he calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and urges both sides to embrace dialogue.
This perspective emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and diplomacy in resolving conflicts and promoting peace. The Pope’s message is not limited to specific conflicts but is a universal call to action, urging world leaders to prioritize peace and human dignity.
The Catholic Church’s stance on peace and violence is also reflected in the joint appeal made by the Latin and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem, who called for an end to the war in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to flow freely into the enclave.
This perspective highlights the importance of interfaith cooperation and dialogue in promoting peace and understanding.
Some experts believe that the Pope’s call for peace is not just a moral imperative but also a practical necessity. According to Pope Leo XIV, “war does not solve problems; it only deepens the wounds of history. Only peace can heal.”
This perspective emphasizes the need for nations to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue over military action.
