Pope Francis on November 18, 2018, offered special prayers to those affected by the fires in California, as well as East Coast residents suffering from the cold. His comments came after praying the noonday Angelus with 30,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
“A special prayer goes to all those affected by the fires that are scourging California, and now also the victims of the cold on the East coast of the United States,” Francis said. “May the Lord receive the deceased in His peace, console the families and support all those involved in the rescue.”
The death toll from the California fires stands at 73, with more than 1,300 missing.
