Pope Leo XIV has expressed sorrow after a deadly shooting struck Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
The incident occurred during a morning Mass, only days into the new school year, leaving two children dead and 17 people injured.
Authorities reported that among the wounded were 14 children, several of whom remain in critical condition at local hospitals.
Police said the attacker used multiple firearms, including a rifle, shotgun, and handgun, which were believed to have been bought legally in recent weeks.
Investigators also recovered a smoke device at the site while continuing to search for a motive.
The attack brought a rapid response from Minneapolis police and federal agents, with ambulances rushing victims to Hennepin Healthcare and Children’s Minnesota.
City leaders urged residents to support families in grief and called for blood donations to help those undergoing surgery.
Neighbors described hearing bursts of gunfire as officers secured the parish school, which serves about 395 pupils from kindergarten through grade eight.
In Rome, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, extended condolences to families of the victims and offered prayers for recovery of those injured.
Elected in May 2025, he is also the first member of the Augustinian order to lead the Catholic Church. His message was shared by Vatican News and across church channels, bringing international attention to the tragedy.
The school, located in a residential part of south Minneapolis, had just welcomed children back for the new academic term when the violence erupted, leaving both the parish and local community in shock.