Pope Leo XIV expresses solidarity with victims of Jordan church attack

Nine people died and between 25 and 40 others were wounded when armed men opened fire during a funeral at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hammoud, Jordan, on October 23. The attack occurred in the Karak governorate as approximately 250 mourners gathered to honor a woman who had died the previous day. Survivors reported that gunmen engaged in several minutes of indiscriminate shooting near the church entrance and in the courtyard.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with the victims following the incident. Christian leaders in the Middle East also issued statements warning that the assault should not damage the religious and social bonds between communities in the region.