Archbishop Vásquez calls for prayers, peace following Minnesota school shooting

HOUSTON – In response to the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this morning, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, joined the prayers of bishops around the country for those killed and to those injured.

"I was deeply disturbed and saddened to learn of the shooting this morning at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. I invite all the faithful of the Archdiocese to join me in praying for the victims, students, families and community impacted by this terrible act of violence. We ask our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Lord of all peace and consolation, to comfort all those affected."

According to Catholic News Service, Pope Leo XIV sent his “heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness” to all those affected by the “terrible tragedy” of a shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis that left two children dead and 17 people injured.

The pope’s condolences went particularly to “the families now grieving the loss of a child,” said a telegram to Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

The papal message to Archbishop Hebda said that “while commending the souls of the deceased children to the love of Almighty God, His Holiness prays for the wounded as well as the first responders, medical personnel and clergy who are caring for them and their loved ones.”

“At this extremely difficult time, the Holy Father imparts to the Annunciation Catholic School community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the people of the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area his apostolic blessing as a pledge of peace, fortitude and consolation in the Lord Jesus,” it said.