ROME — Pope Francis offered prayers Wednesday for the people of Los Angeles as they endure deadly fires. Francis referred to the disaster during his weekly general audience Wednesday and invoked Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is revered by many Latino Catholics.

As wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles neighborhoods, Pope Francis expressed his spiritual closeness to those affected by the tragedy.

I am praying for all of you,” Pope Francis said, using his televised Sunday Angelus address to speak directly to the people impacted by the wildfires in Southern California. “I am close to the residents of Los Angeles County,

Pope Francis is praying for victims and rescuers trying to control the wildfires in California that have killed at least 11 people and destroyed thousands of homes, the Vatican said on Saturday. "His Holiness Pope Francis assures you and the community affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness,

Pope Francis referred to the disaster during his weekly general audience Wednesday and invoked Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is revered by many Latino Catholics.