Pope Francis Offers Condolences to Victims of New Orleans Massacre

 Pope Francis has sent a telegram offering his condolences over the deaths of at least 15 people who were killed during a terrorist attack in New Orleans, the Catholic Herald website reports today (Jan. 4, 2025).

The  January 2 telegram states that the pope is " deeply saddened to learn of t he loss of life and injury caused by  the attack that took place ln New Orleans."

The pope also gave his blessing to all those imputed by the attack, offering "a pledge of peace and strength in the Lord." 

On January 1, in the early hours of New Year's Day, a suspect identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pick--up truck around barriers and into a crowd of people celebrating the New Year before jumping out of his vehicle and opening fire on bystanders, killing at least 15 and injuring dozens of others

Jabbar, who had recently declared loyalty to ISIS, was killed in a police shootout that followed the attack. Two police officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire with Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran. 

The FBI declared the incident to be an act of terrorism --  police found an ISIS flag in the attacker's vehicle -- and said Jabbar was likely not "solely responsible" for the attack.

Pope Starts New Year with Call for Peace and Justice

 In his message for World Day of Peace on January 1, the pope lamented the "devastation" seen in much of the earth and "the conflicts that presently plague our human family," the Christian Today website reports today (Jan. 3, 2025). 

Pope Francis said that certain challenges were causing "havoc" in the world , including "the inhuman treatment meted out to migrants, environmental decay, the confusion willfully created by disinformation, the refusal to engage in any form of dialogue, and the immense resources spent on the industry of war." 

"All these, taken together, represent a threat to the existence of humanity as a whole," he said. 

"At the beginning of this year, then, we desire to heed the plea of suffering humankind in order to feel called, together and as individuals, to break the bonds of injustice to proclaim God's justice. 

Terrorist Truck Driver Kills 15, Wounds Dozens, Slamming into New Orleans New Year's Eve Crowd

A U.S.Army veteran driving a pickup truck that bore the flag of the Islamic State group wrought carnage on New Orleans' raucous New Year's celebration, killing 15 people as he steered around a police blockade and slammed into revelers before being shot dead by police, the AP website reports today (Jan. 1, 2025). 

The FBI said it is investigating the attack as a terrorist act and does not believe the driver acted alone. Investigators found guns and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device in the vehicle along with other devices elsewhere in the city's famed French Quarter.

President Joe Biden said this evening that the FBI found videos that the driver had posted to social media hours before the attack in which he said  he was inspired by the Islamic State group and expressed a desire to kill. 

The rampage turned festive Bourbon Srtreet into a macabre mayhem of maimed victims, bloodied bodies, and pedestrians fleeing for safety inside nightclubs and restaurants. In addition to the dead, dozens of people were wounded. 

Zion Parsons, 18, of Gulfport, Mississippi, said he saw the truck "barreling through, throwing people like in a movie scene, throwing people into the air." 

"Bodies, bodies all up and down the street, everybody screaming  and hollering," said Parsons, whose friend Nikyra Dedeaux was among the people killed. 

"This is not just an act of terrorism. This is evil," New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said. 

The FBI identified the driver as Shamsud--Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas, and said it is working to determine his potential associations with terrorist organizations. 

"We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible," FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan said at a news conference. 

Former Pres. Jimmy Carter Dies at 100

 Former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, who dedicated his life after he left office to brokering international peace, has died at age 100, the NBC News website reports today (Dec. 30, 2024). 

Carter, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his human rights work around the world, has been in hospice care since February 2023 at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he lived with his wife of 77 years, Rosalyn Carter. The former first lady, 96, died on Nov. 19, 2023.

Carter was the first U.S. president to reach his 100th birthday. 

In October, for Carter's 100th birthday, President Joe Biden recognized him in a direct --to--camera birthday message shared with CBS News, saying : "Mr. President you've always been a moral force for our nation and the world. I recognized that as a young senator. That's why I supported you so early. You're a voice of courage, conviction, compassion and most of all, a beloved friend of Jill and me and our family."

Biden said he would order an official state funeral to be held in Washington, D.C., and issued a proclamation declaring Jan. 9 to be a national day of mourning. Today (Dec. 30) the U.S. Army Military District of Washington said that the state funeral would be held on that same date, and Biden ordered federal offices closed "as a mark of respect." 

King Charles Christmas Day Speech Upsets Christians for Suggesting All Religions the Same

 King Charles has been criticized for his Christmas Day speech which suggested that all faiths are the same, the Christian Post website reports today (Dec. 29, 2024). The monarch's Christian Day address to the nation is an annual Christmas tradition that many households gather round to listen to on the big day. 

In his address this year, the king said, "The example that Jesus gave us is timeless and universal. It is to enter the world of those who suffer, to make a difference to their lives, and to bring hope where there is despair."

As the famous Christmas Carol, Once in Royal David's City reminds us, "Our Savior holy came down to Eartrh from Heaven ," lived among the poor and mean and lowly and transformed the lives of those He met through God's 'redeeming love.'"

"That is the heart of the Nartivity story and we can hear its beat in the belief of all great faiths of the love and mercy of God in times of joy and of suffering, calling us to bring light where there is darkness. 

Missiologist and Home for Good Founder, Krish Kandiah,said King Charles' comments demonstrate "a fundamental misunderstanding of either Christianity or world religions. "

"The idea that God becomes human and then willingly dies to redeem and rescue humanity is unique to Christianity," said Kandiah.

Pope Visits Prison on St. Stephen's Day; Honors Present--Day Martyrs

Pope Francis marked the feast day of the first martyr, St. Stephen, by visiting a prison and highlighting that Christians are srtill being persecuted for their faith,  the Catholic Herald website reports today (Dec. 27, 2024).  

"Unfortunately, today there are srtill, in various parts of the world, many men and women who are persecuted , at times up to death, because of the Gospel, the pontiff said during the Angelus address in St. Peter's Square on Dec. 26. The pope gave his Angelus address after returning from the Rebibbia New Complex Prison in Rome, where he opened a Holy Door for the Jubilee Year. 

In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Stephen  -- a deacon -- was stoned to death  after being accused of blasphemy by Jewish leaders shortly after Jesus' ascension into heaven. 

In his Angelus address, Francis said the story of  St. Stephen  applies to present--day  martyrs, too.

"They do not allow themselves to be killed out of weakness, nor to defend an ideology, but to make everyone participants in the gift of salvation  they have received from the Lord Jesus Christ," the pope said. 

Student and Teacher Killed in Shooting at Wisc. Christian School

A teacher and teenaged student were shot and  killed at a private Christian school on Dec. 16 in the state of Wisconsin, the Christian Today website reports today (Dec. 23, 2024).

At least six others were injured in the attack at Abundant Life Christian School in the city of Madison. Two of the injured sustained life--threatening injuries and are in a critical but stable condition in a hospital. The shooter was idenrtified by police as Natalie Rupnow, 15, who also goes by the name "Samantha." 

Police said she was in attendance at the school before opening fire in a study hall with mixed grade students at the school. She then turned the gun  on herself and died on the way to a hospital.

Police are still working to establish a motive. 

Speaking to reporters, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said, "Today is a sad day not only for Madison, but for our entire country. We have to do a better job in our community. 

Barnes said police had not had any prior interactions with Rupnow.

The school has asked for prayers. 

The school said, "We have been flooded with thoughts and prayers. This great nation is behind us. So grateful for the tsunami of prayers for our students, staff, and families.