Pope prays for victims and rescuers in California wildfires

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis is praying for victims and rescuers trying to power the wildfires successful California that person killed astatine slightest 11 radical and destroyed thousands of homes, the Vatican said connected Saturday.

"His Holiness Pope Francis assures you and the assemblage affected by this calamity of his spiritual closeness," said a connection sent connected the pope's behalf to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose H. Gomez.

Expressing "heartfelt condolences for those who mourn their loss", Francis besides offered prayers "for the alleviation efforts of exigency services personnel" and imparted "his blessing to each arsenic a pledge of consolation and spot successful the Lord".

Los Angeles is location to the largest Catholic assemblage successful the United States, according to the LA Catholics website.

Six simultaneous wildfires person devastated Los Angeles County neighbourhoods since Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of immoderate 153,000 radical and consuming 35,000 acres (14,100 hectares) - oregon 54 quadrate miles, 2-1/2 times the onshore country of Manhattan.