Alerts Sign-up
Pope Francis expressed his sorrow over the attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day, which resulted in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries. A telegram issued on behalf of Pope Francis, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, conveyed the pope's spiritual closeness to those affected. "In assuring the entire community of his spiritual closeness, His Holiness commends the souls of those who have died to the loving mercy of almighty God and prays for the healing and consolation of the injured and bereaved," stated Cardinal Parolin.
The telegram was sent on January 2 to Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans. The attack involved a U.S. Army veteran who drove a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans' French Quarter before being killed in a shootout with police. In addition to those killed, around 30 others were injured.
Archbishop Aymond released a statement condemning the violence: "This violent act is a sign of utter disrespect for human life," he said on January 1. He also offered support to victims' families and acknowledged law enforcement and medical personnel's efforts: "I join with others in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans in offering prayerful support to the victims’ families. I give thanks for the heroic duty of hundreds of law enforcement and medical personnel in the face of such evil."
The incident follows another attack that occurred earlier in Magdeburg, Germany, where five people were killed at a Christmas market on December 20.
Security has been heightened around Rome and Vatican City during this period due to ongoing events related to the Holy Year celebrations as well as holiday festivities.
