On 25 October 2023, a gunman identified as Robert Card, a 40-year-old reserve military officer, opened fire at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston, Maine. The shooting left 18 dead and 13 wounded.
The Lewiston massacre was the deadliest mass shooting in the United States so far this year. It was a tragic and horrific event that shocked the nation.
The Lewiston massacre was a tragic and horrific event. It is important that we remember the victims and their families and work to prevent a similar event from happening again.
We publish below the telegram of condolences for the victims of the massacre in Lewiston (USA), sent – on behalf of the Holy Father Francis – by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the Bishop of Portland, H.E. Monsignor Robert Deeley:
Telegram from Pope Francis
THE MOST REVEREND ROBERT DEELEY
BISHOP OF PORTLAND
HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE RESULTING FROM THE MASS SHOOTING IN LEWISTON, AND HE EXPRESSES HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO ALL THOSE SUFFERING FROM THIS UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY, ESPECIALLY THE FAMILIES WHO LOST LOVED ONES. HIS HOLINESS COMMENDS THE SOULS OF THE DEAD TO THE LOVING MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD AND HE PRAYS FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE WOUNDED AND THE MEDICAL PERSONNEL CARING FOR THEM. HE LIKEWISE COMMENDS THE NOBLE EFFORTS OF FIRST RESPONDERS WHO PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM’S WAY TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY. WITH FIRM TRUST THAT AIDED BY GOD’S GRACE WE CAN OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD (CF.ROM12:21), THE HOLY FATHER INVOKES UPON THE PEOPLE OF LEWISTON AND INDEED THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS OF STRENGTH AND PEACE.
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE
