Pope Leo Issues Fiery Call to ‘Stop the Pandemic of Arms’ in Prayer for Victims of Minnesota School Shooting

Pope Leo XIV issued a fiery call to “stop the pandemic of arms” during a prayer for the victims of the shooting in a Minnesota Catholic school.

Speaking in English during his Sunday blessing from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, the Pope made a strong statement denouncing the attack in which the shooter fired 116 rifle rounds — killing two children and injuring 20 people total.

“Our prayers for the victims of the tragic shooting during a school Mass in the American state of Minnesota,” Pope Leo said. “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!”

The Pope went on to quote a Bible verse from the Book of Isaiah, which calls for weapons to be turned into less harmful agricultural tools.

“May our mother Mary the queen of peace help us to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.'” Pope Leo said.

Earlier in the service, the American-born Pope called for the “voice of weapons” to be “silenced” in Ukraine — as he advocated for an immediate ceasefire.

“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,” Pope Leo said. “The voice of weapons must be silenced, while the voice of fraternity and justice must rise.”

Watch above, via Vatican Media.