The following is the telegram for the victims of the fires in Los Angeles, U.S.A., sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles:

Telegram

THE MOST REVEREND JOSÉ H. GÓMEZ
ARCHBISHOP OF LOS ANGELES

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. ENTRUSTING THE SOULS OF THE DECEASED TO THE LOVING MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD, HIS HOLINESS SENDS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THOSE WHO MOURN THEIR LOSS. 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.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE