Hundreds of mourners are gathering at vigils for the victims of the shootings at a suburban Denver theater showing the latest Batman movie.

At the Queen of Peace Roman Catholic church in Aurora, a few miles from the shooting, more than 1,000 mourners gathered Friday evening for a memorial Mass. Newly installed Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila told mourners dabbing their eyes: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

He says "the heart of our Father is stronger than the bullets that killed 12 people."

Near the entrance to the theater's parking lot, a makeshift memorial of 12 candles sat in a row near piles of flowers. Up the hill, about 20 pastors led an emotional vigil for about 350 people, some hugging and crying.