Pope Leo XIV sends condolences after tragic events in Kraków

Pope Leo XIV has sent his condolences to Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kraków, in connection with the events that took place in the center of the historic Polish city on Saturday.

Pope Leo XIV (illustration image)

Photo: Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar | creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

"His Holiness Leo XIV, deeply saddened by the news of the fatalities and injuries resulting from a shooting in Kraków, expresses his spiritual closeness - in the Risen Christ - to all those affected by this tragedy. Invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland, the Holy Father prays for the gift of Christian hope for the grieving families and joins in spirit with all those experiencing these days of mourning"

- wrote the Pope in a letter of condolence, which was conveyed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.

Pope Leo XIV sent his telegram, mourning the death of six people in a tragic Kraków shooting. "His Holiness Leo XIV, deeply saddened by the news of the fatalities and injuries resulting from the shooting in Krakow, expresses his spiritual closeness—in the Risen Christ—to all those affected by this tragedy. Invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland, the Holy Father prays for the gift of Christian hope for the grieving families and joins in spirit with all those experiencing these days of mourning. Offering the assurance of his prayers, the Supreme Pastor imparts his Apostolic Blessing and calls for steadfast perseverance in the pursuit of peace and harmony."

— Paulina Guzik (@Guzik_Paulina) November 8, 2026

Earlier, numerous heads of state and other top officials have sent their condolences, words of support, thoughts and prayers related to the mass shooting in Kraków.

This morning, Europe woke up in grief and disbelief after yesterday’s horrific attack in Krakow. Our flags fly at half-mast in honour of the victims and the brave first responders. They stand for European unity and solidarity. Stronger than hatred. Stronger than extremism. https://t.co/DCdyg6CqLj

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 8, 2026

The tragic loss of life in the shooting in Kraków is a tragedy that will be felt far beyond Poland. I have conveyed my heartfelt condolences to @sikorskiradek. My thoughts are with the victims and their families and the first responders. Poland’s strength lies in the resilience of its people. In this moment of grief, Poland does not stand alone.

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) November 7, 2026

A shocking crime in Kraków. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, and personally, I extend my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. There can be no justification for this attack, and we trust the perpetrator will face justice. We wish strength and a speedy recovery to the injured and to everyone affected by this tragedy. Ukraine stands in solidarity with Poland and the Polish people. People have the right to safety.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 7, 2026

Wydarzenia, do których doszło w Krakowie, głęboko mnie poruszyły. Myślami jestem z ofiarami i ich rodzinami. Niemcy, jako przyjaciel i partner Polski, stoją w tym trudnym czasie u jej boku. Życzę wszystkim rannym szybkiego powrotu do zdrowia.

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) November 7, 2026

The profound depth of Poland's shock at the horror of yesterday's appalling mass murder in Krakow is truly remarkable to behold. Violence on this scale isn't just unheard of here, it's unthinkable and utterly alien to the Polish national character. Poland is so extraordinarily safe, peaceful and orderly because it's people are so decent. There's something profoundly precious about being in a country where such evil remains so foreign to everyday life, where an entire nation recoils in horror at the mere thought of it, and where the depth of grief reveals the true goodness of its people. Today, as Poland mourns, @POTUS and America mourns with her. #Poland @NawrockiKn @PremierRP_en @prezydentplarch

— Ambassador Tom Rose (@USAmbPoland) November 8, 2026

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Source: PAP