Pope prays for victims of New Orleans attack January 2, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis was “deeply saddened” to learn of deaths and injuries caused by the attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, which killed 15 people. “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,” said a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and issued on the pope’s behalf. The telegram was sent Jan. 2 to Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans. According to law enforcement agencies, a U.S. Army veteran, apparently inspired by the Islamic State group, drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people celebrating the new year in New Orlean’s famed French Quarter early Jan. 1 before he was killed in a shootout with police. In addition to the 15 people who died, some 30 other people were injured. “This violent act is a sign of utter disrespect for human life,” Archbishop Aymond said in a statement Jan. 1. “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 attack came after a similar incident in Magdeburg, Germany, where five people were killed and more than 200 injured when a man drove into crowds at a Christmas market Dec. 20. Rome increased security measures around the Vatican in preparation for the opening of the Holy Year and for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Read More World News Spain and its Church in shock, grief after high speed train collision leaves dozens dead Catholics must engage with modern culture, not reject it, pope says Undecided Catholic voters a dependable but swing voting bloc, report finds Pope Leo to offer 12 public Masses in November, including in a Rome cemetery Relics of St. Theodore Guérin offer special connection to her inspiring life in Indiana Montse Alvarado prepares to step into Vatican communications prefect role Nov. 1 Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
