Nashville shooting was ‘senseless act of violence,’ pope says in telegram March 29, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis called the deadly shooting at a school in Nashville a “senseless act of violence” and prayed that the grieving families hold strong to their faith and “bring good out of unspeakable evil.” In a telegram sent to Bishop Joseph M. Spalding of Nashville and signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, the pope said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the recent shooting at The Covenant School.” “Pope Francis asks you to convey his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his prayers to all affected by this senseless act of violence,” said the telegram, released by the Vatican March 29. “He joins the entire community in mourning the children and adults who died and commends them to the loving embrace of the Lord Jesus,” it said. “He likewise invokes the consolation and strength of the Holy Spirit upon the grieving families and prays that they will be confirmed in their faith in the power of the risen Lord to heal every hurt and to bring good out of unspeakable evil,” the papal telegram said. Six individuals were killed, including three 9-year-old children, at the private Christian school mid-morning March 27. The shooter, who was armed with two assault-type rifles, was shot dead by law enforcement officers at the scene. Read More Gun Violence Archbishop Hebda calls for prayers after woman shot dead by ICE officer in Minneapolis Slain state trooper, beloved and mourned by Delaware Catholics, laid to rest Walking for peace in Baltimore, naming the dead Delaware law enforcement, governor, community mourn loss of trooper in fatal shooting 2025 homicide victims to be remembered at prayer vigil in Baltimore Mass shooting at Brown University a tragedy that strikes at heart of Providence community Copyright © 2023 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
