By Currents News
Pope Francis is sending prayers of healing and consolation to the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, following an attack that occurred on New Year’s Day.
At least 15 people are dead and 30 injured after investigators say a U.S. Army veteran drove a truck into a crowd of people celebrating during the early morning hours of January 1.
Pope Francis assured New Orleans of his spiritual closeness to the city, commending the victims to “the loving mercy of almighty God.”
Information is still coming in about those who lost their lives in this tragedy like St. Thomas More Catholic High School Graduate Martin Bech Jr. Known as “Tiger,” the Lafayette, Louisiana man was a standout athlete at the school in football, lacrosse, and track and field. He went on to play for Princeton University and most recently lived in New York City working as a junior trader for a capital markets firm. He was visiting New Orleans for the holidays.
Another Catholic school alum also lost his life in the tragedy: 21-year-old Hubert Gauthreaux, who graduated from Archbishop Shaw High School in New Orleans in 2021. The school is praying for the repose of his soul – along with his family and friends – sharing the news of his passing in a post on Facebook.
It’s believed many of those injured could be Catholic as people present were in New Orleans for the Notre Dame University versus University of Georgia football game.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans expressed his closeness to the Catholic community in a statement, saying “This violent act is a sign of utter disrespect for human life. 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.”