The Pope confirmed that he is praying for Charlie Kirk, his wife, and his children; and he expressed concern about political violence
Newsroom (16/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV has expressed his condolences for the family of Charlie Kirk, the American political activist killed on September 10, and voiced deep concern over rising political violence, according to the Holy See Press Office.
Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, addressed reporters’ inquiries on Tuesday regarding the Pope’s response to the murder of Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative commentator and co-founder of Turning Point USA. “I know that during the conversation with the new U.S. Ambassador, the Pope confirmed that he is praying for Charlie Kirk, his wife, and his children; that he expressed concern about political violence; and that he spoke of the need to refrain from rhetoric and instrumentalization that lead to polarization rather than dialogue,” Bruni said.
The Pope’s remarks came during a September 13 audience with Brian Francis Burch, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, as Burch presented his credential letters to begin his mandate. During the meeting, Pope Leo XIV shared his sorrow for Kirk’s family and emphasized the urgent need to address political violence.
Kirk, a prominent author and media personality, was fatally shot during a public event at Utah Valley University on September 10, the first stop of his American Comeback Tour. His funeral is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, in Glendale, Arizona.
In a related statement, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin condemned the use of violence against those with differing views. Speaking to journalists on September 11 on the sidelines of a Vatican conference, Parolin said, “The Vatican stand is that we are against all types of violence. And we think that we have to be very, very tolerant, very respectful of everybody, even though we don’t share the same view.”
Parolin warned that intolerance and violence could destabilize both national and international communities, adding, “If we are not tolerant and respectful, and we are violent, this will produce a really big problem inside the international community and the national community.”
The Vatican’s response underscores its broader call for dialogue and mutual respect in the face of growing political polarization worldwide.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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