In response to the horrific shooting that left at least six people dead and almost 30 others injured at a Fourth of July parade in the Highland neighbourhood of Chicago on Monday, Pope Francis has expressed shock and sadness.
In a telegram written to Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, on behalf of the Holy Father, the pope denounced the “senseless shooting” and urged an end to all forms of violence.
According to Vatican News, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state for the Vatican, sent the telegram on his behalf.
The Cardinal was invited by Pope Francis to express his spiritual closeness to everyone impacted by this attack.
In relation to the shooting, Robert E. Crimo III, a 22-year-old Highland Park resident, was detained late on Monday.
Crimo was mentioned as a person of interest in the shooting earlier in the day.
The pope’s telegram said he joined “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,” the message continued, 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.”
An upscale suburb along Lake Michigan, Highland Park is located about 20 miles north of Chicago.
Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich issued a statement in which he expressed his prayers for the victims and first responders. He also strongly denounced the evil of gun violence.