Pope Benedict XVI says he's "deeply shocked" by the "senseless violence" in the Colorado movie theater shootings and is offering his prayers so the survivors and relatives of the victims can find strength.

In his traditional Sunday blessing, Benedict said he shared the distress of the families and friends of the victims. He said he was praying for all "as a pledge of consolation and strength" for God.

On Friday, gunman James Holmes opened fire and set off gas canisters in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 people and injuring 58.

Benedict spoke from the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, in the hills south of Rome.