Pope Leo XIV denounced the recent surge of “antisemitic violence” following a tragic mass shooting in Sydney, Australia, where a father and son targeted a crowd attending a Hanukkah celebration.

Addressing a gathering of donors responsible for the Vatican’s festive decorations, the pope extended his prayers to the victims, calling for “the gift of peace and fraternity” during this holiday season.

“We offer our prayers for those affected by war and violence. Today, I specifically entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist attack in Sydney directed at the Jewish community,” Pope Leo XIV stated on Monday.

He passionately added, “We must put an end to such antisemitic violence. It is imperative to eradicate hatred from our hearts.”

In a heartfelt moment, Pope Leo XIV embraced a child at the conclusion of the audience with those who contributed to the Christmas tree and nativity scene adorning St. Peter’s Square, held in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on Monday, December 15, 2025. (AP)

Leo made similar prayers in an official telegram of condolence sent to the archbishop of Sydney, Most. Rev. Anthony Fisher.

The pope prayed “with renewed hope that those tempted to violence will undergo conversion and seek the path of peace and solidarity,” according to the telegram signed by the Vatican secretary of state.

At least 15 victims were killed and dozens more were wounded in the massacre over the weekend on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where hundreds had gathered for a “Chanukah by the Sea” event celebrating the beginning of the Jewish festival. One of the gunmen was shot and killed by police while the other was hospitalized with injuries.

A man identified as Ahmed al Ahmed has been praised as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen. He was shot but is recovering in a hospital.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denounced the shooting as an act of antisemitic terrorism and vowed to strengthen the country’s already strict gun laws.

Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Vatican City State at the end of an audience with donors of the Christmas tree and nativity scene set up at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP)

The attack was an “act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism,” Albanese said.

Leo also issued a strong anti-abortion message during the audience with the donors of the Vatican’s Christmas decorations, which he described as a sign of “faith and hope.”

The pope said the evergreen fir trees donated by various Italian regions “are a sign of life and recall the hope that isn’t lacking even in the winter cold.”

He said another sign of life was reflected in the Nativity scene in the Vatican’s audience hall, which was donated by Costa Rica. It featured 28,000 ribbons representing embryos that were not aborted.

Ribbons representing lives saved from abortion according to Catholic groups are seen on Nacimiento Gaudium, a nativity scene set during an audience led by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP)

“Each of these 28,000 colored ribbons that decorate the scene represent a life saved from abortion thanks to the prayer and support provided by Catholic organizations to many mothers in need,” the pontiff said.

Leo thanked the artist for the message affirming that “life is protected from conception.”