President Obama thanks Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates during a visit to the University of Colorado Hospital. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President Obama spent Sunday visiting with families and survivors of the Colorado shooting massacre, offering words of hope and encouragement after the senseless tragedy.

"To the entire community of Aurora, the country is thinking of you," said Obama. "I know that there's going to be a vigil and an opportunity for everybody to come together. And I hope that all those who are in attendance understand that the entire country will be there in prayer and reflection today."

Late Thursday night, James Holmes allegedly opened fire in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater at the midnight showing of the final film in the Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, killing at least 12 people and wounding 58. Holmes also booby-trapped his home.

During his visit, the president met with family members of those killed by Holmes and listened as they recounted stories of their loved one.

"It was an opportunity for families to describe how wonderful their brother, or their son or daughter was, and the lives that they have touched, and the dreams that they held for the future," he said after the meetings.  "I confessed to them that words are always inadequate in these kinds of situations, but that my main task was to serve as a representative of the entire country and let them know that we are thinking about them at this moment and will continue to think about them each and every day, and that the awareness that not only all of America but much of the world is thinking about them might serve as some comfort."

Holmes is expected in court Monday.

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