VATICAN CITY (CNS) – As wildfires continued to burn, Pope Francis assured the people of Los Angeles of his prayers.

“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.

Flames rise from a structure as the Palisades Fire burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles Jan. 8, 2025. Firefighters battled early Jan. 9 to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their homes. (OSV News photo/Ringo Chiu, Reuters)

The fires, fueled by dry conditions and warm winds, began Jan. 7. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office said 11 people had been confirmed dead as of Jan. 11, the Associated Press reported. 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, released by the Vatican Jan. 11, 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.