Pope Francis has expressed his heartfelt solidarity with the suffering residents of Los Angeles, California, and has offered prayers for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patron of the Americas, on behalf of all those affected. During his latest appeal, the Pope emphasized, “My heart is with the people of Los Angeles,” as he called for prayers for those affected by the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the state of California. These fires have resulted in the tragic loss of at least 28 lives, the destruction of over 15,000 structures, and the burning of approximately 63 square miles of land. The Holy Father has consistently remembered the people of Los Angeles in his prayers since the onset of these catastrophic wildfires.
The Pope acknowledged the immense suffering endured by the community, stating, “May Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for all the inhabitants so that they may be witnesses of hope through the power of diversity and creativity for which they are known throughout the world.” Following the Angelus prayer on Sunday, he reiterated his closeness to the residents of Los Angeles County. In a telegram addressed to Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, Pope Francis conveyed his profound sorrow regarding the “loss of life” and “widespread destruction” caused by the ongoing fires near the city. He assured Archbishop Gomez and the affected communities of his spiritual support, entrusting the souls of the deceased to the compassionate mercy of Almighty God, and extending heartfelt condolences to those grieving their losses. The Pope also prayed for the success of the relief efforts undertaken by emergency services personnel and imparted his blessing to all.