VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis is praying for victims and rescuers attempting to manage the wildfires in California which have killed not less than 11 individuals and destroyed hundreds of properties, the Vatican mentioned on Saturday.
“His Holiness Pope Francis assures you and the community affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness,” mentioned an announcement despatched on the pope’s behalf to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose H. Gomez.
Expressing “heartfelt condolences for those who mourn their loss”, Francis additionally provided prayers “for the relief efforts of emergency services personnel” and imparted “his blessing to all as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord”.
Los Angeles is dwelling to the most important Catholic neighborhood in the USA, based on the LA Catholics web site.
Six simultaneous wildfires have devastated Los Angeles County neighbourhoods since Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of some 153,000 individuals and consuming 35,000 acres (14,100 hectares) – or 54 sq. miles, 2-1/2 instances the land space of Manhattan.
