Pope Francis saddened by Fourth of July shooting in Chicago

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has decried the tragic shootings that killed six and wounded some 30 others during a Fourth of July parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park on Monday, appealing for a rejection of all forms of violence, and a respect for life at all its stages.

The Holy Father did so in a telegram sent to the Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich. In the telegram, sent on the Pope's behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, he said he was "deeply saddened" to learn "of the senseless shooting" that took place in the US, and asked the Cardinal to convey his spiritual closeness to all affected by this attack.

Appeal to reject violence and respect life

The Pope said he "joins the entire community in praying that Almighty God will grant eternal rest to the dead and healing and consolation to the injured and bereaved." 

"With unwavering faith that the grace of God is able to convert even the hardest of hearts, making it possible to depart from evil and do good,” Pope Francis prayed "that every member of society will reject violence in all of its forms and respect life in all of its stages." 

Pope Francis concluded, by sending his Apostolic Blessing "as a pledge of strength and peace in the Lord."

US Shootings

On Monday, a gunman on a rooftop opened fire on an Independence Day parade in the affluent northern Chicago suburb killing at least six people and wounding at least 30 others.

Police identified Robert E. Crimo III as a person of interest in the shooting and after an hours-long manhunt, the suspect was taken into police custody.

The July 4 shooting marks the latest tragic shooting in the country, and takes place in the light of hundreds of others during 2022 that have plagued schools, churches, grocery stores and now community parades.