Pope Francis sent a papal telegram to the Diocese of Nashville in Tennessee on Wednesday in the wake of a school shooting that has devastated the city.
The message was composed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on the behalf of the pontiff following a mass shooting on Monday morning, when three children and three adults were killed.
“Deeply saddened to learn of the recent shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, his Holiness Pope Francis asks you to convey his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his prayers to all affected by this senseless act of violence,” the telegram read.
POPE FRANCIS IS HOSPITALIZED FOR ‘RESPIRATORY INFECTION,’ WILL REQUIRE TREATMENT
A police officer walks by an entrance to The Covenant School after a shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP Photo/John Amis)
The telegram continued, “He joins the entire community in mourning the children and adults who died and commends them to the loving embrace of the Lord Jesus.”
The message was sent to Bishop Mark Spalding by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
The message concluded, “He likewise invokes the consolation and strength of the Holy Spirit upon the grieving families and prays that they will be confirmed in their faith in the power of the risen Lord to heal every hurt and to bring good out of unspeakable evil.”
Pope Francis meets children at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Spalding shared the message on social media Wednesday and included comments reflecting on the pontiff’s words.
“I am grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for sending his comfort and care to the people of Nashville. He mourns with all of us. He is in solidarity with us as we walk through this valley,” said Spalding.
He also referenced the pope’s recent hospitalization, praying for the pontiff in return.
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A mourner visits a memorial outside The Covenant School for the six victims who were killed in a mass shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. On Monday, three adults and three children were killed inside the school. (KR/Mega for Fox News Digital)
“And I want to extend to him my prayers, as we learned this afternoon that the Holy Father has been hospitalized with a respiratory infection. May our Lord Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician, bring healing here in Nashville, to Pope Francis in the Vatican, and to every suffering heart.”
Pope Francis was hospitalized after having difficulty breathing recently and tests revealed a respiratory inspection, a Vatican spokesman said.
“The tests showed a respiratory infection (COVID-19 infection excluded) that will require some days of medical therapy,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Wednesday.
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Memorials for the six victims who were killed in a mass shooting are placed outside The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. On Monday, three adults and three children were killed inside the school. (KR/Mega for Fox News Digital)
Bruni said that Francis does not have COVID-19.
The spokesman said that Francis will require several days of medical treatment.
Fox News’ Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
