Messages of sympathy for Aurora

Christian Bale, seen here at "The Dark Knight Rises" New York premiere on July 16, 2012, in New York, was among those sending messages of sympathy to Aurora, Colo.

Bale, who plays Batman in "The Dark Knight Rises," said: "Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."

Keep clicking to see how other stars and prominent figures have reacted to the tragedy.

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan,director of "The Dark Knight Rises," expressed "profound sorrow" on behalf of the cast and crew about "the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community."

"I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime," Nolan said. "The movie theater is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Gary Oldman

"Dark Knight Rises" star: We go out with a bang

Actor Gary Oldman, who plays Commissioner James Gordon in the Batman trilogy, was the first to issue a statement. "My prayers and deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families of this horrific act," he said.

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Anne Hathaway

Actress Anne Hathaway, who plays Catwoman in "The Dark Knight Rises," released this statement: "My heart aches and breaks for the lives taken and altered by this unfathomably senseless act. I am at a loss for words how to express my sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

President Obama

Obama and Romney respond to Aurora tragedy

President Obama met Sunday with victims of Friday's mass shooting in Aurora.

"I confessed to them that words are always inadequate," Mr. Obama said, following the meeting, but added that his "main task was to serve as a representative of the entire country and we think of them at this moment and we will continue to think of them each and every day."

The president suspended his campaign's activities in Colorado during the weekend out of respect to the shooting victims.

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Mitt Romney

GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, who also suspended campaigning all weekend, said: "Ann and I are deeply saddened by the news of the senseless violence that took the lives of 15 people in Colorado and injured dozens more. We are praying for the families and loved ones of the victims during this time of deep shock and immense grief. We expect that the person responsible for this terrible crime will be quickly brought to justice."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI mentioned the tragedy in his Sunday sermon at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, in the hills south of Rome. "I share the distress of the families and friends of the victims and the injured, especially the children. Assuring all of you of my closeness in prayer, I impart my blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the risen Lord," said the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Queen Elizabeth II

In a written message to President Obama, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II said, "I was saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life earlier today in Denver, Colo. Prince Philip joins me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to you and the people of America at this time."

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and I wish the many who were injured a swift and full recovery," she added.

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Vice President Joe Biden

"Jill and I were shocked to learn of the tragedy in Aurora, Colo., this morning," Vice President Joe Biden said on Friday.

"The reason this is so deeply felt by all Americans is that, but for the grace of God, the victims could have been any one of our children, in any one of our towns. It is every parent's worst nightmare to receive 'that phone call' and to sit by their child's bedside, praying. We know what it's like to wait and wonder and the helplessness a parent feels at this moment. Our hearts go out to each and every person who is suffering right now as a result of this terrible event. The prayers of an entire nation are with the victims and their families. We stand with the city of Aurora and the state of Colorado in mourning."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Piers Morgan

"Horrendous details from this Colorado cinema shooting," said TV talk-show host Piers Morgan. "America has got to do something about its gun laws. Now is the time."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Donald Trump

Donald Trump, real-estate entrepreneur and "Celebrity Apprentice" host, tweeted: "At least 12 dead and 50 wounded in Colorado - bring back fast trials & death penalty for mass murderers & terrorists."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

LeBron James

Miami Heat star LeBron James said, "It's just not fair that innocent people have to lose their lives over someone's selfish stupidity acts! My stomach is hurting over this."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Kurt Warner

Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner said, "My heart goes out 2 families effected by tragedy in Denver! Why must the world have so much hate & violence? We need more Love & Jesus!"

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Ellen DeGeneres

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres said: "The news from Denver is just devastating. My heart is with the families affected by this senseless tragedy."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Paula Deen

Celebrity chef Paula Deen said, "My heart and prayers go out to all the victims and families in Aurora, Colorado this morning."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Ryan Seacrest

Radio and TV host Ryan Seacrest wrote: "Thinking about the families who were affected by this horrible incident in Colorado. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Simon Cowell

"X Factor" creator and judge Simon Cowell said, "My thoughts and condolences to the families and friends in Colorado."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Chris Evans

Actor Chris Evans said: "What the hell is happening?? my heart is completely shattered. all of my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Aurora."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Whoopi Goldberg

Talk show host Whoopi Goldberg tweeted: "We Gotta stop looking for reasons here there is no reason only irrational acts by irrational people. All we can do is try 2 bring comfort."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Olivia Munn

Actress Olivia Munn said: "My sincerest condolences to the victims and families in Colorado. So sad, so mindless."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Kaley Cuoco

Actress Kaley Cuoco tweeted: "Colorado omg.. Praying for the families...this is sick."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Russell Simmons

Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons wrote: "Praying for the people of Aurora, Colorado."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Alyssa Milano

Actress Alyssa Milano wrote: "No. Colorado shooting. My heart aches. Prayers for the victims and families."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

John Stamos

Actor John Stamos tweeted: "what devastating news to wake up to. my heart is with everyone involved in the Aurora #theatershooting. what the world needs now ..."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Eva Longoria

Actress Eva Longoria wrote: "My heart goes out to all the people affected in the Aurora, CO shooting. May God be with that town and their families... "

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Hayley Duff

Actress Hayley Duff said: "Listening to the radio coverage re: the Colorado movie theater shooting. So devastating for the families."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Ashley Tisdale

Actress Ashley Tisdale tweeted: "Saying a prayer for #Aurora. So sad to hear the news, u r all in my thoughts."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Matthew Morrison

"Glee" star Matthew Morrison said: "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families in Aurora, Colorado today."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Jessica Simpson

Singer, actress and new mom Jessica Simpson wrote: "Praying for the victims and families of those involved in the shooting in Colorado. My heart is broken. So awful. God Bless..."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Julianne Hough

Singer, dancer and actress Julianne Hough said: "My love & prayers are with all the families that have been affected by the horrible, unspeakable torment from last nights shooting! My heart is so heavy! Don't take for granted the air we breath the people that touch us and the people we touch!"

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Tom Cruise

Actor Tom Cruise said, "Our hearts go out to the victims of the Colorado movie theater tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers to them and their families..."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Kevin Smith

Director Kevin Smith said: "Heartbreaking to read witnesses in Aurora say they first thought the shooting and gas was an elaborate, in-theater extension of the movie."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian wrote: "Just landed in Miami & heard the tragic news re the shooting in Aurora. This is so devastating & beyond words. Nothing is worth causing so much pain to so many people. I'm angry and heartbroken."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi

Reality TV star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi tweeted: "My prayers go out to the victims and families of the Colorado theater shooting."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

J.R. Martinez

Actor, veteran and "Dancing with the Stars" winner J.R. Martinez wrote: "Waking up to the #tragic news of the #theatershooting in #aurora CO. Sickening to say the least. No excuses or trial~max penalty for him."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Billy Ray Cyrus

Actor and singer Billy Ray Cyrus said: "Oh no ! Just woke up and turned on the news '14 dead 50 hurt in Batman movie shooting.' Praying for victims. So sorry and sad."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Jeremy Renner

Actor Jeremy Renner said: "It crushes my heart and my heart goes out to all the families. This will have nothing to do with how well movies do now at the box office - cinema is so small compared to what has just happened."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora

Rachel Weisz

Actress Rachel Weisz said: "I have incredible sympathy for the families who lost loved ones."

Pictures: Christian Bale visits Aurora