VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis is praying for victims and rescue workers trying to control wildfires in California that have killed at least 11 people and destroyed thousands of homes, the Vatican said on Saturday.
“His Holiness Pope Francis assures the community affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness,” said a statement sent on behalf of the pope to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose H. Gomez.
Expressing his “heartfelt condolences to those mourning their loss”, Francis also prayed for “the relief efforts of emergency services workers” and offered “his blessings to all as a pledge of comfort and strength to the Lord”.
Los Angeles is home to the largest Catholic community in the United States, according to the LA Catholics website.
Six wildfires have simultaneously ravaged Los Angeles County since Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of about 153,000 people and consuming 35,000 hectares (14,100 acres) — or 54 kilometers, 2-1/2 times the land area. of Manhattan.