Religion

Pope Francis Offers ‘Special Prayer’ For California Wildfire Victims

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Pope Francis offered a “special prayer” for the victims of the California wildfires Sunday, which has proven to be some of the deadliest in California’s history.

Francis said the prayer for both victims of the wildfires and of the freeze of the East Coast during his Sunday address in St Peter’s Square. He also invoked God’s blessing and protection for those assisting in efforts to fight the fire and to aid victims.

Francis prayed that “the Lord welcome the deceased into his peace, comfort family members and sustain all those involved in rescue efforts,” according to Religion News Service.

California’s three most recent wildfires – Camp Fire, Hill Fire and Woolsey Fire – have scorched more than 240,000 acres. Camp Fire destroyed the entire town of Paradise, burned 150,000 acres, and destroyed over 12,000 buildings. The fires have killed at least 80 people, and 1,200 people remain missing thus far. The Woolsey and Hill fires forced 160,000 people to evacuate from from Los Angeles alone, and thousands more have been forced to evacuate from elsewhere in California.