Pope Leo XIV has conveyed his prayers for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, along with his family, following Kirk's tragic death in Utah.
The pope's message was delivered to Brian Burch, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, during their initial meeting.
According to Fox News, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni highlighted the pope's concerns regarding political violence and emphasized the importance of avoiding rhetoric that fosters division rather than dialogue. "The pope confirmed that he is praying for Charlie Kirk," Bruni stated.
Kirk, a prominent figure at 31 and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10. Despite being rushed to the hospital in critical condition, he succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, was apprehended after his family encouraged him to surrender following a two-day search. Robinson now faces charges of aggravated murder.
In a separate incident, the pope had previously sent condolences via telegram following a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota, which resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 18 others. Notably, no telegram was sent regarding Kirk's assassination.
Ambassador Burch, during a diplomatic reception in Rome, remarked on the significance of his tenure, coinciding with the first American pope. He shared insights from his audience with the pontiff, noting that the pope "reminded me he is not an American pope. He is a pope of America for the world."
This sentiment underscores the global perspective the pope maintains, transcending national boundaries.
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