Pope Leo prays for Catholic children killed in Minneapolis, calls for an end to the 'pandemic of arms'

Pope Leo XIV used his weekly Angelus address at the Vatican to denounce what he described as a global “pandemic of arms,” offering his first direct comments on gun control since becoming the head of the Catholic Church.

The remarks came just days after the August 27 attack at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis by a trans shooter, where two children were killed and 18 others were injured during a school Mass.

“Let us plead [to] God to stop the pandemic of arms large and small which infects our world,” the Chicago-born pope told those gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Speaking in English, Leo said he was praying for “the victims of the tragic shooting during a school Mass in the American state of Minnesota” as well as for “countless children” harmed by gun violence daily.

His comments marked a notable moment as the first American pope, who until now had refrained from directly addressing gun laws. In a telegram released shortly after the Minneapolis attack, Leo expressed sympathy but avoided any reference to firearms.

The pontiff’s position continues a view held by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who regularly condemned the arms trade and warned that the civilian use of guns had become a dangerous “habit.” Leo, elected in May, has likewise spoken out against the “logic of weapons” and the profit-driven arms industry.

Questions about Leo’s views on gun control resurfaced after reports that a now-deleted X account linked to Robert Prevost, prior to his election as pope, had shared posts calling for stronger gun laws. Among them were statements from Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) urging action following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.

After the Minneapolis tragedy, Cupich, who is considered close to Leo, released his own statement: “The facts are clear. Guns are plentiful and common sense attempts to limit their availability have been largely rejected in the name of a freedom not found in our constitution.”