Pope ‘deeply saddened’ by New Orleans terrorist attack

In a message sent to Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans, Pope Francis expresses his ‘spiritual closeness’ to those affected by the recent terrorist attack in the southern US city.

By Joseph Tulloch (Vatican News: )

Pope Francis has said he is “deeply saddened” to learn of the “loss of life and injury" caused by a recent terrorist attack in the US city of New Orleans.

On January 1, 15 people were killed, and dozens wounded, when a 42-year-old man drove a pickup truck at high speed into a crowd.

In his telegram, sent to Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans, the Pope assured the entire city of his “spiritual closeness," and commended the victims to “the loving mercy of Almighty God.”

The message, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, added that the Pope is praying for those affected, and that, “as a pledge of peace and strength in the Lord, the Holy Father sends his blessing".

In his own statement, Archbishop Aymond said he was praying for the victims of the attack, which he called "a sign of utter disrespect for human life". He also thanked law enforcement and medical personnel for their heroism "in the face of such evil."

Flowers left near the site of the attack

In the early hours of January 1, a man—now identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Texas native and US Army veteran—drove a rented pickup truck at high speed into a crowd in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter.

He was subsequently killed in a gunfight with police. However, authorities have said that they believe multiple people were involved in the attack.

According to the FBI, an Islamic State flag was found in the truck, and U.S. President Joe Biden has said that the attack was inspired by the group.

On the same day, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded in flames outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven others.

Officials said that the FBI was investigating whether the blast was an act of terrorism. Authorities are also looking into whether the two attacks are linked.