STORY: Pope Leo prayed on Monday (December 15) for the victims of the Australia's Bondi Beach attack.

''I wish to entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist massacre carried out yesterday in Sydney against the Jewish community'', the pontiff said, during an audience with donors of the St. Peter's Square Christmas tree and Nativity scene.

''Enough with these forms of anti-Semitic violence. We must eliminate hatred from our hearts'', Leo said.

Two alleged gunmen who killed 15 people at a Jewish celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach were a father and son, police said on Monday, as Australia began mourning victims of its worst gun violence in almost 30 years.

The father, a 50-year-old, was killed at the scene, taking the number of dead to 16, while his 24-year-old son was in a critical condition in hospital, police said at a news conference on Monday.

Officials have described the shooting on Sunday (December 14) as a targeted antisemitic attack.

Forty people remain in hospital following the attack, including two police officers who are in a serious but stable condition, police said. The victims were aged between 10 and 87.

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Pope prays for victims of the Australia's Bondi Beach attack

VIDEO SHOWS: POPE LEO PRAYING FOR VICTIMS OF AUSTRALIA'S BONDI BEACH ATTACK

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: VATICAN CITY (DECEMBER 15, 2025) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO ARRIVING FOR AUDIENCE

2. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

3. POPE ARRIVING FOR AUDIENCE

4. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

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

''Let us pray for all those who suffer because of war and violence. In particular today I wish to entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist massacre carried out yesterday in Sydney against the Jewish community. Enough with these forms of anti-Semitic violence. We must eliminate hatred from our hearts.''

6. AUDIENCE IN PROGRESS

7. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

8. POPE GIVING BLESSING

9. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

10. AUDIENCE IN PROGRESS