File photo of Italian President Sergio Mattarella. (Photo: AFP)

Italian President Sergio Mattarella condemned Monday the "cowardly attack" that killed Italy's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Prime Minister Mario Draghi offered his "deepest condolences".

"The Italian republic is in mourning for these servants of the state who lost their lives," Mattarella said in a statement, offering "my deepest sympathy and solidarity" with the families of Luca Attanasio and those of a policeman, Vittorio Iacovacci, and a driver who died.