Officials say four women and a 9-year-old boy were killed when a man drove into a Christmas market teeming with holiday shoppers in the German city of Magdeburg

Police say the driver is under arrest after plowing into the crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing at least five people - including a 9-year-old - and injuring 200 others.

Anyone who does not like Germany should leave Germany immediately, said Alice Weidel, co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party, candidate for chancellor, speaking to demonstrators in Magdeburg the day before.

Despite the suspect's many statements expressing hostility to Islam, the head of the AfD in Sachsen-Anhalt, Martin Reichardt, said in a statement "the attack in Magdeburg shows that Germany is being drawn into political and religious fanaticism that has its origins in another world".

The Johanniskirche, a church located just a short distance from where the attack unfolded, has emerged as the focal point for mourners since Friday evening's tragedy, when a car plowed into the bustling Christmas market, claiming five lives. The sidewalk outside the church is now blanketed with a sea of flowers, a somber tribute to the victims.

At least five people are now known to have been killed in the vehicle-ramming attack on a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg on Friday.

Mourners are laying flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack as investigators puzzle over the motive of the suspect

Mourners are laying flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack as investigators puzzle over the motive of the suspect.

The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing God’s mercy.

Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message Wednesday urged all people of all nations to find courage during this Holy Year to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions plaguing the world,

I invite every individual, and all people of all nations … to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions,” the pope said from the loggia