Nashville shooting was a ‘senseless act of violence’, Pope says in telegram
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis has called the fatal shooting at a Nashville school a “senseless act of violence” and prayed that grieving families would stay true to their faith and “bring out good from evil indescribable”.
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 sincere condolences and the assurance of his prayers to all those affected by this senseless act of violence,” reads the telegram, released by the Vatican on March 29.
“He joins the whole community in mourning the children and adults who have died and recommends them to the loving embrace of the Lord Jesus,” he said.
“He also invokes the consolation and strength of the Holy Spirit upon grieving families and prays that they may be confirmed in their faith in the power of the risen Lord to heal every wound and bring out good from unspeakable evil,” the papal telegram said.
Six people were killed, including three 9-year-old children, at the private Christian school mid-morning on March 27. The shooter, who was armed with two assault rifles, was shot dead by law enforcement officers present at the scene.
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