VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis is praying for victims and rescuers 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 you and the community affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness,” said a statement sent on behalf of the pope to Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez.
Expressing his “sincere condolences to those grieving the loss,” Francis also offered prayers “for the help of emergency services personnel” and gave “his blessing to all as a pledge of comfort and strength in the Lord.”
Los Angeles is home to the largest Catholic community in the United States, according to the LA Catholics website.
Six simultaneous wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles neighborhoods since Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of about 153,000 people and consuming 35,000 hectares (14,100 acres) — or 54 square miles, 2-1/2 times the area of Manhattan.
