Pope Francis meets with representatives of DIALOP, Transversal Dialogue Project, an association of European leftist politicians and academics that seeks to bridge Catholic social teaching and Marxist theory, on Jan. 10, 2024, at the Vatican. / C… […]
Pope Francis delivers a speech to all of the world’s ambassadors to the Vatican on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media
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Pope Francis prays during his general audience address in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican on Dec. 27, 2023. / Credit: Vatican Media
CNA Staff, Jan 2, 2024 / 13:50 pm (CNA).
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Pope Francis delivers his general audience address to pilgrims in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican on Dec. 27, 2023. / Credit: Vatican Media
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Pope Francis speaks at his general audience Dec. 20, 2023, at Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. / Credit: Elizabeth Alva/EWTN
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Pope Francis speaks at his general audience Dec. 13, 2023, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media
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Pope Francis shakes hands with one of the approximately 7,000 children from around the world in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Nov. 6, 2023, at an event sponsored by the Dicastery for Culture and Education dedicated to the theme “Let us learn fro… […]
Pope Francis meets with a group of women who escaped criminal organizations in Italy on Oct. 30, 2023, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media
Vatican City, Oct 30, 2023 / 14:15 pm (CNA).
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Pope Francis invoke the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Peace and Mother of Mercy at a prayer vigil for peace in St. Peter’s Basilica, Friday, Oct. 27. / Credit: Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Oct 28, 2023 / 10:03 am (CNA).
Pope Francis said Saturday he is praying for strength and peace for the community of Lewiston, Maine, after the city experienced two deadly mass shootings earlier this week.
The Wednesday shootings at a restaurant and a bowling alley in Maine’s second most populous city, in the southern part of the state, left 18 people dead and 13 people injured.
The victims ranged in age from 14 to 76, according to officials, who released the names and photographs of victims on Friday.
The man suspected of the shooting, 40-year-old Robert Card, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday evening after a days-long manhunt, the New York Times reported.
Pope Francis “was deeply saddened to learn of the terrible loss of life resulting from the mass shooting in Lewiston, and he expresses his spiritual closeness to all those suffering from this unspeakable tragedy, especially the families who lost loved ones,” said an Oct. 28 telegram signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
“With first trust that aided by God’s grace we can overcome evil with good (c.f. Romans 12:21),” it continued, “the Holy Father invokes upon the people of Lewiston and indeed the entire country, almighty God’s blessings of strength and peace.”
The message said the pope is praying for the recovery of the wounded, for the medical personnel caring for them, and for the souls of the dead.
“He likewise commends the noble efforts of first responders who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the community.”
Lewiston police said on Facebook late on Wednesday that the shootings occurred at local establishments Schemengees Bar and Sparetime Recreation.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Portland Bishop Robert Deeley said it was “heartbreaking to hear of lives lost and dozens injured and to know of the pain and grief that so many families are experiencing.”
“We pray for all those impacted by this terrible violence, that the Lord may provide them with consolation in the midst of their sorrow,” Deeley said. “In this moment of trial and uncertainty, let us raise up our prayers, asking God to give strength to them and to our community now and in the coming days, and we ask him to protect our law enforcement officers as they seek to prevent further harm.”
Readings: • Acts 2:14a, 36-41 • Ps 23:1-2a, 3b-4, 5, 6 • 1 Pet 2:20b-25 • Jn 10:1-10 It would be difficult to find a more eloquent tribute to Saint Peter than that written by […]
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