Pope Leo XIV told the new American ambassador to the holy chair, Brian Burch, that he prays for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as well as his wife and children, after his murder in Utah last week, the Vatican said Tuesday.
Leo also expressed his concern about political violence and focused on the need “to refrain from rhetoric and exploitation that leads to polarization instead of dialogue,” said Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni in a statement, according to Vatican News.
The Pope’s comments came on Saturday, when he received the ambassador in a audience to receive his references, so that the first meeting between the two was marked.
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Pope Leo XIV expressed concern about political violence and focused on the necessity “to remember rhetoric and exploitation that leads to polarization instead of dialogue.” (Riccardo de Luca/Anadolu via Getty images)
“The pope confirmed that he is praying for Charlie Kirk,” said Bruni.
Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed During an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem on 10 September, he was transported to a hospital in critical condition before he was later declared dead.
The alleged shooter was identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, whose family persuaded him to return after a two -day manhunt. Robinson is accused of heavy murder in connection with Kirk’s murder.
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Pope Leo XIV told the new American ambassador to the Holy chair, Brian Burch, that he prays for conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (Getty Images)
The Pontiff had also sent a telegram report last month with condolences after a shooting in the Catholic Church in Minnesota, causing two children to be dead and 18 others were injured, including more than a dozen children of the school.
However, the pope did not send a telegram about the murder of Kirk.
Charlie Kirk speaks before being shot during the visit of Turning Point to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. (AP)
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Burch organized a welcome diplomatic reception on Monday and said it was a “remarkable time to be in Rome”, with the first American pope.
The ambassador spoke about his papal audience and noted that the collected ambassadors, cardinals and guests that the Pope “reminded me that he is not an American pope. He is a pope of America for the world.”
The Associated Press has contributed to this report.
