Pope Leo XIV has expressed concern over political violence and polarisation following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The pontiff made the remarks during a meeting with the new US ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, at the Vatican on Saturday.
Kirk, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead on 10 September while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem. His wife and two young children witnessed the attack, which was captured on video and widely shared online. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder after a 33-hour manhunt.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that the pope is praying for Kirk and his family. “The pope also expressed concern about political violence and spoke of the need to refrain from rhetoric and exploitation that lead to polarization rather than dialogue,” Bruni said.
Leo had previously sent a telegram of condolences after a shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis in August, which left two school children dead. During a Sunday service, he prayed for the victims and called for an end to the “pandemic of arms”.
Ambassador Burch, whose organisation CatholicVote endorsed Trump in the 2024 election, said the pope reminded him that he is “not an American pope. He is a pope of America for the world.” Robinson appeared in court on Tuesday, with officials stating he was radicalised online and motivated by hatred of Kirk.
