Prague, Czech Republic, 22 December, 2023 / 3:38 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis offered his condolences on Friday morning after 14 people were killed and 25 injured in a mass shooting at a university in Prague.
A statement released by the Vatican on Dec. 22 said that the pope was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries caused by the shooting at Charles University.”
“Pope Francis expresses his spiritual closeness to all affected by this tragedy. Entrusting those who have died to the loving mercy of Almighty God, His Holiness invokes divine strength and consolation upon their grieving families and friends, and he assures the nation of his prayers at this difficult time,” said the message sent on the pope’s behalf by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state.
The shooting on Thursday was the first-ever school shooting in the Czech Republic and the worst mass shooting in the country’s history, according to the Associated Press.
A 24-year-old Czech university student opened fire in the university’s philosophy department building after first killing his father in his hometown outside of Prague. The gunman killed himself after the shooting rampage.
