Pope condemns spate of U.S. gun violence, prays for victims

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS AUGUST 4, 2019 / 6:51 AM / UPDATED 5 HOURS AGO

Pope condemns spate of U.S. gun violence, prays for victims

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday condemned attacks on “defenseless people” in a spate of gun violence in three American states, including one that killed 20 people in a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas.

Speaking to thousands of pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday message and blessing, Francis said he was spiritually close to the victims, the wounded and the families affected by attacks he said had “bloodied Texas, California and Ohio”.

Francis said all three attacks targeted “defenseless people”.

He mentioned the Texas shooting as well as another last week at a food festival in California where three people were killed, and a third in Dayton, Ohio, where 10 people were killed early on Sunday..

Francis, who has in the past criticized the gun manufacturing industry, then led the crowd in reciting a Hail Mary for the victims.

(The story refiles to correct media identifier.)

Reporting By Philip Pullella. Editing by Jane Merriman

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-texas-shooting-pope/pope-condemns-spate-of-u-s-gun-violence-prays-for-victims-idUSKCN1UU0BC

[msongs]

1. so why does his god allow all these shootings? nt

[Cartoonist]

2. He saved the rest

A miracle!

[SCVDem]

3. Great!

Now we pissed off the pope!

[uriel1972]

4. thoughts and prayers....

[Act_of_Reparation]

5. What does "praying for the victims" actually entail?

What, exactly, is the Pope praying for?

[AtheistCrusader]

6. A break from the normal headlines, about his hamfisted handling of pedophile priests.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/pope’s-message-of-support-to-priests-‘blamed-for-crimes-they-did-not-commit’/ar-AAFk8u5

#NotAllPriests etc.

[Cartoonist]

7. Good question

I guess he is praying to God to allow the victims entrance to Heaven even if they have sinned because they didn't have a chance to ask for Jesus' forgiveness.

[Act_of_Reparation]

8. Exactly.

He's praying those who died in sin embrace Catholicism so they don't tossed into the pit. Which no right-thinking, empathetic human being would find comforting.

[Voltaire2]

9. So the pope, he had some thoughts, and then said some prayers.

That'll help.