Pope Leo XIV informed Brian Burch, the new U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, that he is praying for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, along with his wife and children, following Kirk’s murder last week in Utah, the Vatican reported on Tuesday.
Leo also conveyed his apprehension about political violence and underscored the necessity “to refrain from rhetoric and exploitation that lead to polarization rather than dialogue,” according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni in a statement cited by Vatican News.
The pontiff’s comments were made on Saturday when he received the ambassador in an audience to accept his credentials, marking their inaugural meeting.
“The pope confirmed that he is praying for Charlie Kirk,” Bruni stated.
Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was murdered during an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition before being pronounced deceased.
The alleged gunman was identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, whose family persuaded him to turn himself in following a two-day manhunt. Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with Kirk’s killing.
The pontiff had also sent a telegram message offering condolences last month after a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota, resulting in two children dead and 18 others injured, including more than a dozen children from the school.
However, the pope did not send a telegram about .
Burch hosted a welcome diplomatic reception on Monday, stating it was a “remarkable time to be in Rome,” with the first American pope.
The ambassador spoke about his papal audience, noting to the assembled ambassadors, cardinals, and guests that the pontiff “reminded me he is not an American pope. He is a pope of America for the world.”