STORY: Pope Leo XIV prayed on Sunday (August 31) that God would "stop the pandemic of arms" after a mass shooting on August 27 at a Minnesota Catholic school that killed two children.

"Our prayers (go) for the victims of the tragic shooting during a school mass in the American state of Minnesota," Leo, speaking in English, said in a weekly prayer with crowds in St Peter's Square.

"Let us plead God to stop the pandemic of arms, large and small, which infects our world," said the pope.

During his address, the pontiff also reiterated his appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, asking the faithful not to give in to indifference, and turned his thoughts to the migrant victims of the shipwreck off the Atlantic coast of Mauritania.

Leo was elected pope by the world's cardinals in May, after the death of the late Pope Francis. He has shown a different style to his predecessor, rarely speaking off the cuff and usually preferring a more cautious tone in his public appeals.

Sunday's appeal was also a rare instance of the pope addressing a world event in his native English. Leo usually prefers to use Italian, the language of the papacy.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VATICAN CITY (AUGUST 31, 2025) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO APPEARING FROM WINDOW OF PAPAL APARTMENTS

2. POPE WAVING FROM WINDOW

3. PEOPLE IN ST PETER'S SQUARE

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) POPE LEO SAYING:

"Our prayers for the victims of the tragic shooting during a school mass in the American state of Minnesota. We include in our prayers the countless children killed and injured every day around the world. Let us plead God to stop the pandemic of arms, large and small, which infects our world."

5. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"Regrettably, the war in Ukraine continues to sow death and destruction. Even in recent days, bombings have struck several cities, including the capital Kyiv, causing numerous casualties. I renew my closeness to the Ukrainian people and to all the families who have been hurt. I invite everyone not to give in to indifference, but to be close to them through prayer and concrete acts of charity."

7. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"I strongly reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire and a serious commitment to dialogue. It is time for those responsible to renounce the logic of arms and embark on the path of negotiation and peace, with the support of the international community."

9. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"Our hearts are also hurt by the more than 50 people who died and about 100 who are still missing in the shipwreck of a boat loaded with migrants attempting the 1,100 km journey to the Canary Islands, which capsized off the Atlantic coast of Mauritania. This deadly tragedy is repeated every day all over the world."

11. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"To all, have a good Sunday."

13. PEOPLE IN SQUARE