Jul 22, 2012 / 10:07 am
Pope Benedict XVI is "deeply shocked by the senseless violence" carried out by a lone gunman who injured 58 people and claimed the lives of 12 more when he attacked the crowd in an Aurora, Colo. cinema on July 20.
"I share the distress of the families and friends of the victims and the injured, especially the children. Assuring all of you of my closeness in prayer, I impart my blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the risen Lord," the Pope said during his Sunday Angelus address at Castel Gandolfo on July 22.
The lethal attack occurred at a midnight showing of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" at the Century 16 theater in Aurora, Colo., an eastern suburb of Denver.
About 20 minutes into the film, James Holmes, 24, allegedly entered through the exit door, dressed in black tactical assault gear, including a gas mask, helmet, and body armor. The gunman threw a pair of tear gas canisters into the cinema before opening fire on moviegoers.