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Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S. pope, condemned the recent school shooting in Minnesota, calling for an end to the "pandemic of arms." He prayed for the victims, two children killed and twenty injured, during the attack at the Church of Annunciation in Minneapolis. The shooting, where 116 rifle rounds were fired, reignited the American gun control debate. Leo's statement follows his predecessor, Pope Francis's, long-standing criticism of the weapons industry and 'merchants of death.' He also called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, urging dialogue and peace.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.