Archbishop Bernard Hebda, who leads the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, released a statement following the deadly shooting that took place on Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in southern Minneapolis.

“My heart is broken as I think about students, teachers, clergy and parishioners and the horror they witnessed in a church, a place where we should feel safe,” Archbishop Hebda wrote in a statement Wednesday afternoon, hours after police confirmed two children were killed and 17 injured in the shooting.

Archbishop Hebda expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV, who sent his condolences to him after the attack, and all those around the world who have offered prayers following the shooting that occurred during a Mass for the K-8 school early Wednesday morning.

“I beg for the continued prayers of all of the priests and faithful of this archdiocese, as well for the prayers of all men and women of goodwill,” Hebda continued, “that the healing that only God can bring will be poured out on all those who were present at this morning’s Mass and particularly for the affected families who are only now beginning to comprehend the trauma they sustained.”

The Twin Cities archbishop further pledged the souls of the two children who lost their lives to God through the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, and called for an end to gun violence, which he described as “far too commonplace.”

He noted the Annunciation School shooting comes just 24 hours after another shooting near Cristo Rey Jesuit High School that reportedly left one dead and six injured on Tuesday.

“Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetrated against the vulnerable and innocent,” Archbishop Hebda wrote. “While we need to commit to working to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies, we also need to remind ourselves that we have a God of peace and of love, and that it is his love that we will need most as we strive to embrace those who are hurting so deeply.”

He revealed that archdiocesan staff are currently working with the parish and school to “make sure they have the support and resources they need at this time and beyond.” 

A prayer service took place Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. CT at the Academy of the Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota. 

“We have to be men and women of hope,” the archbishop also said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. While he was speaking, a church bell rang in the background. 

“A bell in the Catholic Church is always a call to prayer,” he continued, adding: “And we have to recognize that it’s through prayer … that we can indeed make a difference. That has to be the source of our hope.”

FBI Director Kash Patel announced in a social-media post Wednesday afternoon that the FBI is investigating the shooting “as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.” He also confirmed the identity of the shooter as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman.

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered American flags at the White House, across the country, and at all U.S. embassies, legations consular offices, and other facilities abroad to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Aug. 31 “as a mark of respect for the victims” of the deadly shooting.