WASHINGTON (AP) — As a father, President Barack Obama says, he’s grieving for the victims of today’s school shooting in Connecticut.

His remarks to the nation from the White House today were emotional ones, as Obama wiped his eyes and had to pause for several seconds to keep his composure.

He said, “Our hearts are broken today.” Obama said the victims were “beautiful, little kids” who “had their entire lives ahead of them” — and he recited future milestones lost: “birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own.”

Obama called for “meaningful action” to prevent such shootings, but he did not say what that action should be. He ordered U.S. flags be flown at half-staff through Tuesday.

As he spoke, two senior aides standing nearby cried and held hands.

Obama, who began his comments with no greeting, ended them with words of Scripture, and walked away in silence.