Pope Francis expresses his spiritual closeness to the community of Plymouth in southwest England, which is recovering from a mass shooting last Thursday which killed five people, including a young child, and injuring others.
By Vatican News staff reporter
Pope Francis has sent a telegram to Bishop Mark O’Toole of Plymouth, England.
A prayer service was held on Tuesday evening in memory of the victims of the mass shooting there, which killed five persons, including a young child, while injuring others.
The Vigil for the Dead took place at the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Boniface in Plymouth, led by Bishop O’Toole.
Spiritual closeness
In his message, Pope Francis expressed his sadness over the shootings and assured those gathered for the Vigil of his spiritual closeness.
The Pope said he joins them “in commending the souls of those who died to Almighty God’s loving mercy and he implores the divine gifts of healing and consolation upon the injured and bereaved.”
Before imparting his apostolic blessing, he prayed that Christ the Redeemer may grant to all “the strength to renounce violence and to overcome every evil with good”.
Thursday’s violence marked the UK’s first mass shooting in 11 years, where gun homicide rates are among the lowest in the world.
