Pope Francis today said he is close to the victims of Sunday’s violent incident in Waukesha, Wisconsin, that claimed five lives and left dozens injured.
The Pope’s thoughts came in a telegram sent by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Archbishop Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee, which is the diocese in which Waukesha is located.
Late Sunday afternoon, the driver of a red SUV reportedly drove through a Christmas parade in Waukesha. According to authorities, the driver who is in Police custody had left the scene of a domestic dispute and did not appear to know anyone in the parade when he drove into the route.
The telegram sent from the Vatican:
THE MOST REVEREND JEROME E. LISTECKI
ARCHBISHOP OF MILWAUKEE
THE HOLY FATHER ASKS YOU KINDLY TO CONVEY THE ASSURANCE OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO ALL AFFECTED BY THE TRAGIC INCIDENT THAT RECENTLY TOOK PLACE IN WAUKESHA. HE COMMENDS THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO DIED TO ALMIGHTY GOD’S LOVING MERCY AND IMPLORES THE DIVINE GIFTS OF HEALING AND CONSOLATION UPON THE INJURED AND BEREAVED. HE JOINS YOU IN ASKING THE LORD TO BESTOW UPON EVERYONE THE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH WHICH TRIUMPHS OVER VIOLENCE AND OVERCOMES EVIL WITH GOOD (CF. ROM 12:21).
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE
Video message of Archbishop Listecki:
Archbishop Listecki released a video message, calling for prayers and offering sympathy for the victims of the incident and all those who witnessed the horrible scene.
“As the shepherd of the Catholic community of southeastern Wisconsin, I feel compelled to stand in solidarity with those who have been affected by this senseless act,” Archbishop Lastecki said. “When confronted by the shock and grief encountered by our brothers and sisters in Waukesha, it is now important for us to turn to our faith, which offers us God’s loving presence and consolation.
“Our prayers are with the people who have been injured and killed during the tragic incident in Waukesha. Among the injured are one of our Catholic priests as well as multiple parishioners and Waukesha school children. Please join us in prayer for all those involved, their families, and those traumatized by witnessing the horrible scene.
“I know that people of every faith tradition will call their communities together and offer to God their sense of confidence in His ability to guide us through this difficult period and offer hope and healing. God Bless you.”
