Leaders from around the world expressed shock and sadness over the Orlando shooting that left 50 people dead and officials are calling an act of terror.
Pope Francis is in “pain and turmoil before this new manifestation of homicidal folly and senseless hatred,” according to a statement issued by the Holy See.
World leaders joined Francis in condemning the attacks.
“While authorities are still investigating and details continue to be confirmed, it is appalling that as many as 50 lives may have been lost to this domestic terror attack targeting the LGBTQ2 community,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement.
United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron added on Twitter that he was “horrified” by the shooting and said that his thoughts are with the “victims and their families.”
I’m horrified by reports of the overnight shooting in Orlando. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 12, 2016
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the longtime U.S. ally “stands shoulder to shoulder alongside the U.S. in this tragic moment of loss,” according to a statement in the Times of Israel.
Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also showed solidarity with the U.S., saying on Twitter that our “hearts are with our American brothers.”
French President Francois Hollande tweeted solidarity, condemning “with horror the killing that caused at least 50 deaths in Florida.”
Afghanistan’s president, Ashraf Ghani, tweeted out that the shooting was a “coward act of terror.” Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., Hamdullah Mohib, also showed support and condemned the attacks. “This inhumane & coward act is against all beliefs, religions, laws, norms and human values. We must take collective actions to end it,” he tweeted.
Severely condemn the heinous & unforgivable crime in Orlando. It was a coward act of terror. Praying for all those affected by this tragedy.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) June 12, 2016
Shooter Omar Masteen’s parents were from Afghanistan, but Masteen was born in New York.
