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A burned home stands in ruin in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of west Los Angeles Jan. 8, 2025, as powerful winds fueling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate. Fires raging in the Los Angeles area reduced some 12,000 structures to ash and rubble, killed at least 11, displaced thousands of others and spread over an area larger than the size of San Francisco. (OSV News photo/Mike Blake, Reuters)

Pope offers prayers for those impacted by L.A. wildfires


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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.

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