Orlando shooting: Pope Francis expresses horror and condemnation

In a statement, Vatican Lombardi said the Pope was shaken and saddened by the “homicidal folly and senseless hatred” of the attack.

Pope Francis has expressed horror and condemnation over the mass shooting in a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday in which 50 people were killed and dozens more wounded, according to Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi.

Maurice Forbes (Centre) holds a candle with others during a vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting, Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Las Vegas. Pope Francis has expressed horror and condemnation over the shooting that killed at lease 50 people.(AP)

In a statement, Lombardi said the Pope was shaken and saddened by the “homicidal folly and senseless hatred” of the attack.

“We all hope that ways may be found, as soon as possible, to effectively identify and contrast the causes of such terrible and absurd violence,” the statement said.

A gunman armed with an assault rifle carried out the attack on Sunday at a packed gay nightclub in what is the worst mass shooting in US history.