Pope Francis was "deeply saddened" by the ramming attack during New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, which left at least 15 dead and around 30 injured, the Vatican said.

"His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the attack that took place in New Orleans," wrote Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro, in a telegram published January 2 sent on the pope's behalf to U.S. Archbishop Gregory Aymand of New Orleans.

Pope Francis assured the city of his "spiritual closeness" and commended "the souls of those who have died to the loving mercy of Almighty God."

Cardinal Parolin added that the pope prayed for the healing of the wounded and those mourning the loss of loved ones. "As a pledge of peace and strength in the Lord, the Holy Father sends his blessing," the statement read.

The FBI is investigating this attack, carried out by a former American soldier, Shamsud-Din Jabbar—who was "inspired" by the jihadist group, the Islamic State (IS)—who drove his car into a crowd in the tourist district of New Orleans, in the southern United States, during New Year’s festivities.

Prior to the attack, Din Jabbar allegedly posted videos on social media, which have since been removed, in which he expressed his "desire to kill" and pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State, the FBI said January 2. Investigators said they discovered an IS flag in his vehicle, as well as two improvised explosive devices found in the car and in the vicinity of the attack, which were promptly defused.

Investigators are also looking into possible connections with a separate attack in which an American soldier drove a Tesla Cybertruck loaded with explosive material and fireworks and detonated it outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. As of now, the only connection is that both attackers rented the vehicles from the same car-sharing app, Turo.