Pope offers prayers for those impacted by L.A. wildfires January 13, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Disaster Relief, News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — “I am praying for all of you,” Pope Francis said, using his televised Sunday Angelus address to speak directly to the people impacted by the wildfires in Southern California. Pope Francis greets visitors in St. Peter’s Square gathered to pray the Angelus on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord at the Vatican Jan. 12, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) “I am close to the residents of Los Angeles County, California, where devastating fires have broken out in recent days,” the pope told thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square Jan. 12 to pray the Angelus with him. In a telegram released by the Vatican the previous day, Pope Francis also assured the people of Los Angeles of his prayers as the fires continued to cause death and destruction. “Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of almighty God, His Holiness sends heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss,” said a telegram sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, to Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles. The fires, fueled by dry conditions and warm winds, began Jan. 7. As of 6 p.m. local time Jan. 11, the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office said 16 people had been confirmed dead. More than 150,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes and thousands of structures, including houses and churches, have been destroyed. The telegram to Archbishop Gomez, said, “Saddened by the loss of life and the widespread destruction caused by the fires near Los Angeles, His Holiness Pope Francis assures you and the communities affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness.” “He likewise prays for the relief efforts of the emergency services personnel and imparts his blessing to all as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord,” it said. Read More Vatican News Church can teach what’s at stake when nations choose war, not peace, cardinal says From Algeria to Angola, Africans hope message of peace, dialogue will resonate during papal trip Pope Leo’s prayer to St. Francis: a call to peace in a divided world In the face of the mystery of evil, Christians must be signs of hope, pope says Pope Leo warns of ‘irreparable abyss,’ if diplomacy doesn’t take over violence in Iran, Middle East Pope Leo XIV concludes retreat urging Church to live the Gospel worthily Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
