Pope Francis offers his prayers for Sweden after its worst mass shooting

Pope Francis has offered his prayers and consolations to the people of Sweden after 10 people were killed by a gunman at a school in the city of Örebro on 4 February.

In a telegram sent on 5 February to Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, the Holy Father addressed the tragedy that is being described as the worst mass shooting in the country’s history.

“[Pope Francis] offers prayer for the repose of the souls of those who have died, for the consolation of their grieving families and friends, and for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the papal telegram says.

“At this difficult time for the nation, His Holiness invokes upon the Swedish people Almighty God’s gifts of unity and peace.”

The suspected gunman has been named locally as 35-year-old Rickard Andersson, though police have not yet officially identified him nor have they provided a motive, reports the BBC. He died during the attack. It is reported that he turned his gun on himself.

The Risbergska School operates as an adult education centre that offers vocational training courses and Swedish language classes for maturer students. The city of Örebro is located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the capital, Stockholm.

Local authorities have warned that the death toll could rise from among those seriously injured during the attack.

Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Sweden issued a statement on 5 February, reports Catholic News Agency (CNA): “Together with all of Sweden, we Catholics mourn the victims of the violent incident in Örebro, and we pray for them. Violence and shootings only seem to increase.”

Violent crime, especially shootings, used to be extremely rare in Sweden. But incidents of both have been increasing in recent years. Some of the blame for that has been attributed to criminal activity spurred by immigrants and associated gangs that have taken root in Sweden.

There have been media reports that the gunman may have been motivated by perceived grievances over the immigrant situation in Sweden and shouted statements during the attack that were related to immigrants needing to leave the country.

The BBC reports that Syrian refugees were among those killed during the gunman’s attack on the school.

It adds that regional police chief Lars Wiren told a news conference on 6 February that 130 police officers eventually reached the school to face what could only be described as an “inferno” when they entered the school buildings.

The police chief spoke of a scene of chaos with “dead people, screams and smoke”, while other people were running inside and outside the very large school that stretches across about 17,000 square metres, the BBC reports.

All Catholic churches in Sweden will pray for the victims of the attack at Sunday Masses on 9 February, according to Arborelius’ statement.

Pope Francis had to begin the year by sending a telegram offering his condolences over the deaths of 14 people who were killed during a terrorist attack in New Orleans that left many more injured.

On 1 January, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, a suspect identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pick-up truck around barriers and into a crowd of people celebrating the New Year in the US city, before jumping out of his vehicle and opening fire on bystanders.

RELATED: Pope Francis offers condolences to victims of New Orleans massacre

Photo: Flowers and candles left in remembrance of the victims of the attack at the school, which is visible in the background in Örebro, Sweden, 5 February 2025. (Photo by Jonas Gratzer/Getty Images.)

The post Pope Francis offers his prayers for Sweden after its worst mass shooting first appeared on Catholic Herald.

The post Pope Francis offers his prayers for Sweden after its worst mass shooting appeared first on Catholic Herald.