---
title: Cracovia shooting kills six, injures fifteen as Church leaders call for unity
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/cracovia-shooting-kills-six-injures-fifteen-as-church-leaders-call-for-unity
published: 2026-11-10T18:50:56+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.vaticannews.va/it/chiesa/news/2026-11/polonia-cracovia-strage-sparatoria-chiesa.html
organizations: Polish Bishops' Conference, Archdiocese of Cracovia, Basilica of Santa Maria
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Cracovia shooting kills six, injures fifteen as Church leaders call for unity

A shooting incident in the historic Market Square of Cracovia resulted in at least six deaths and fifteen injuries, including two police officers. The attack occurred in the afternoon among pedestrians and tourists. The perpetrator, identified as a Polish national acting alone, opened indiscriminate fire on the crowd. He was injured during a confrontation with law enforcement and subsequently underwent surgery. The motive for the attack remains unknown.

The violence struck a symbolic location in the city, situated near the Basilica of Santa Maria, a daily destination for residents and visitors. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the opening of an investigation, while President Karol Nawrocki expressed condolences to the victims and solidarity with their families.

Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, the archbishop and metropolitan of Cracovia, issued a message stating that the violence and hatred had struck the community again in a way that exceeds all limits. He emphasized that anyone could have been present in the square at the time of the shooting. The cardinal urged the community to remain united, stating that they cannot remain indifferent in such a moment. He asked parish priests to be close to their faithful and offer every possible form of assistance.

The metropolitan invited the faithful to gather on Sunday, November 8, at 4:00 PM in the Basilica of Santa Maria for a eucharistic celebration. This service was intended to commemorate the victims and pray for the healing of the injured. The event served as a collective moment of prayer to demonstrate the Christian community's solidarity and its rejection of violence. The cardinal noted that through faith, a person is never helpless, and that the final word does not and cannot belong to hatred.

The pain of the Church in Cracovia was joined by that of the entire Polish episcopate. Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, the president of the Polish Bishops' Conference, expressed profound shock in a written statement. He acknowledged that the causes and motivations of the cruel act were not yet known, but the tragic consequences were clear. He found it difficult to comprehend how such dramatic scenes could unfold in a place that serves as a space for walking and leisure for many people.

Archbishop Wojda assured his spiritual closeness to those affected, their families, the medical staff, and the law enforcement officers involved in the rescue efforts. He prayed for eternal rest for the victims and for the grace of healing for those still hospitalized. He concluded by stating that he remained united with the community in prayer.