Cardinal Burke, President Trump, bishops, other leaders react to Minneapolis shooting

Catholic leaders, President Donald Trump himself, and many other public figures have followed Pope Leo in expressing solidarity with the victims, survivors, and relatives affected by the shooting that killed two children and wounded 17 other people at the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 27. 

Here is an incomplete round-up of the reactions.

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke:

“A Word of Consolation to the Victims at Annunciation Catholic School and Church

With profound sorrow of heart, I unite my prayers to those of the faithful in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and throughout the Church, for the innocent victims of the terrible act of violence that has struck the community of Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis. Two beloved children, only eight and ten years old, have been taken from us in this tragedy, while so many others — children and adults — have suffered grievous injury and trauma. At the very moment when they were gathered in prayer at Holy Mass, the place of God’s abiding presence, their peace was shattered by an act of unspeakable evil.

“In such moments, our hearts cry out with Our Lady, standing at the foot of the Cross of her Divine Son. With her, we place our sorrowing hearts into the glorious-pierced Heart of Jesus, asking that the immeasurable and unceasing grace flowing from His Heart bring healing to all involved and strengthen us all to renew our every effort to end such violent attacks against human life. We entrust the souls of the departed to the mercy of Christ, Who said, “Let the children come to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 19, 14) and Who prayed for those who tortured and executed Him: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk 23, 34). We commend the wounded, their families, and all who grieve to the maternal care of Our Lady of Sorrows, who knows intimately the anguish of such suffering, and to Saint Joseph, Protector of the Holy Church.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced for our salvation, pour out His mercy upon the dead, His healing upon the injured, and His consolation upon every family and loved one afflicted by this tragedy. Let us, with renewed faith, pray for the conversion of hearts, that such acts of hatred may be transformed into occasions of grace, and that our nation may rediscover the path of peace found only in obedience to the law of God written upon every human heart, the law whose first precept is the safeguarding and care of human life.”

President Donald J. Trump:

“As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, August 31, 2025.  I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York:

“Once again we are shocked and horrified by the news of another senseless shooting, this time all the more disturbing because it happened at a Catholic church and school, which should always be sanctuaries of peace. We mourn the two innocent children whose lives were cut short by this dreadful tragedy and hold in our intentions the seventeen wounded.

We join in compassionate solidarity with the countless families of the city of Minneapolis, Annunciation Catholic School, and beyond who have been touched by an unthinkable grief caused by mind numbing gun violence which has become all too common. We pray for an end to all violence in our hearts, in our communities, and in our world.”

Archbishop William E. Lori, Vice President of the USCCB:

“As a Church, we are following the tragic news from Annunciation School in Minneapolis with heartbreaking sadness. Whenever one part of the Body of Christ is wounded, we feel the pain as if it were our very own children.  Let us all beg the Lord for the protection and healing of the entire Annunciation family, entrusting them to the loving embrace of our Blessed Mother. ” 

Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles:

“We are praying for Archbishop Hebda and for all our brothers and sisters in Minneapolis. We pray for those who were killed and those who were injured in this morning’s shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. It is sad and disturbing that this attack was carried out while the children were praying at Mass. May God grant eternal rest to those whose lives were taken, and may he give comfort to their families and loved ones. We are also praying today for the parish family at Annunciation and for police and emergency personnel. We entrust all our anxieties and cares in this hour to the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary our Mother.”

Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, Archbishop of Denver:

“Let us pray for the victims and all involved in the MSP Catholic School horrific shooting, especially the families impacted. An irreplaceable loss! Mary as you stood at the foot of the Cross, comfort & be with those in their grief!”

Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco:

“I was deeply saddened to hear about the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. Please join me in praying for the school community and the parish, especially the victims, their families, and the perpetrator.”

Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City:

“This morning, there was a shooting during Mass at Annunciation Catholic parish and school in Minneapolis. Please join me in prayer for those who lost their lives and those who were injured, along with their families. Let us also pray for the students, faculty and the parish community, and schools and communities everywhere in the aftermath of this tragic and heartbreaking event.”

Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger, Archbishop of Detroit:

“I am deeply troubled and immensely sad to hear reports of today’s shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis. Catholic schools are meant to be places of faith, learning, and safety, and such a tragedy wounds the entire Body of Christ. My soul aches for these little ones treasured by our Lord, along with their families and communities. May God embrace them in his tender care, and heal those who are suffering the immense pain of their loss.

“Every child must be treasured and safe, and no child should have to live in fear. Even as we pray for those whose lives were taken today, I also ask that our prayer be matched by firm endeavors to end the superabundance of handguns and assault weapons in our great nation. We owe it to our families, our neighbors, and our friends. But most of all, we owe it to the children.”

Most Reverend Alexander Sample, Archbishop of Portland:

“Brothers and sisters, my heart is heavy in the wake of this morning’s tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Let us pray for those who have died, for the healing of the injured, and for the consolation of their loved ones. May our Blessed Mother draw near to comfort the families and friends of the departed.

“It is especially heartbreaking to know that these students were gathered for Holy Mass at the start of a new school year when tragedy struck. In our grief, we turn to Christ, our hope and our peace, even as we renew our resolve to work for change. We pray that proper action will be taken to help prevent such senseless violence. May Christ guide us out of darkness and into His peace.”

Kelsey Reinhardt, president of CatholicVote:

“CatholicVote joins the entire Catholic community in grief and prayer after the horrific shooting on Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. During a Mass marking the first week of school, two children were killed and seventeen people were wounded, fourteen of them children.

“We stand in deep solidarity with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, the priests, faithful, and families of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, who are now carrying an unspeakable cross.

“As His Holiness Pope Leo XIV said in his message of condolence: ‘His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was profoundly saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries following the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, and he sends his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child.’

“CatholicVote unites with the Holy Father in commending the souls of the children who lost their lives to the love of Almighty God, and in prayer for the wounded, for their families, and for the first responders and medical personnel now tending to the victims.

“May the unspeakable suffering endured by these children, their parents, and their relatives stir all of us to build a more virtuous nation — one where such violence finds no home, and where the dignity of every human life is protected and cherished.

“At this time of great suffering, we call on all people of faith to rally in prayer and concrete support for the Catholic community of Minneapolis. May the Apostolic Blessing imparted by the Holy Father truly bring “peace, fortitude and consolation in the Lord Jesus” to the families, the Archdiocese, and the wider Twin Cities community.”

Most Reverend Robert Barron, Bishop of Winona-Rochester and head of Word on Fire:

“Friends, this morning there was a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Parish in Minneapolis. Please join me in praying for all those who were injured or lost their lives—along with their families. Let us also pray for the students, faculty, and entire parish community.”

Most Reverend Mark Eckman Bishop of Pittsburgh:

“We are devastated by the horrific violence that shattered what should have been a holy moment of grace at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, where children had gathered for a back-to-school Mass. We hold close in prayer the students, families, teachers, parish community, and first responders. We ask the Lord to bring healing to the injured, eternal rest to those who have died, and consolation to all who mourn.

“This story touches our local Church in a particular way. Archbishop Bernard Hebda, who shepherds the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, is a native son of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. We hold him, the victims, and their grieving families in our hearts.

“Here at home, our Diocesan Director of Safety and Security, Wendell Hissrich, continues to actively monitor developments and to remain in close contact with law enforcement. Our schools remain vigilant, and followed established safety protocols today, as they do every day. 

“We are grateful for the professionalism of our administrators, teachers, and staff who work each day to keep our children safe.

“As people of faith, we turn instinctively to prayer in moments like this. And prayer must move us to action, to comfort the grieving, to bring healing to the wounded, and to be voices for peace and the sanctity of every life.

“May Mary, Our Lady of the Annunciation, intercede for comfort and strength. And may the Lord, the Prince of Peace, bind up every broken heart and guide us to a world where children can learn, play, and pray in safety.”

Most Reverend Patrick Neary, Bishop of St. Cloud: 

“My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

“Today, our hearts are shattered by the horrific act of violence that occurred at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. Children were gathered for Mass. Teachers were beginning a new school year.

“Families were entrusting their loved ones to the care of the Church. I grieve deeply with the families, students, staff and parishioners of Annunciation. I grieve with our neighbors in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. And I grieve with every person who now carries the trauma of this senseless violence.

“As Catholics, we believe in the dignity of every human life. That dignity is destroyed when violence becomes routine. May Christ, the Prince of Peace, bring healing to all who are wounded, and may Our Lady of Sorrows intercede for us in this time of grief.”

Chris Stefanick, President of Real Life Catholic:

“You’re gonna hear a lot of commentary about how this could happen and what to do about it. Some from me.

“But that’s later. 

“For now – stop what you’re doing. And pray. Pray for the broken families. The deceased. The lost souls who find themselves at war with all that’s precious, and with themselves.

“Come, Lord Jesus. Maranatha. We need you.”

Rep. Christopher Smith, R-NJ:

“My wife, Marie, and I are heartbroken and horrified by the unimaginable act of violence that occurred at Annunciation Catholic School today, which claimed the lives of two young children and injured other students and adults gathered for Mass.

“We pray for those precious young students whose lives were cruelly taken; those recovering from serious injuries; the families of the victims; the students and faculty who gathered to celebrate Mass in recognition of the start of the new school year; and the entire Minneapolis community.

“We send our deep thanks and appreciation to the Annunciation faculty, who acted quickly to protect students, as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement for their prompt response.

“We are grateful for the Trump Administration’s quick efforts to recognize and investigate this inconceivable tragedy inflicted upon young students gathered for prayer and worship.”

Kristen Waggoner, President of Alliance Defending Freedom:

“Never be ashamed to pray in response to evil. Humbling ourselves before God, seeking His help, & sharing each other’s sorrow is exactly the cure for what ails America.

“Today I pray fervently for everyone touched by the unthinkable in Minneapolis. May God comfort, help, and heal.”

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