Vatican City, Jan 26, 2017 / 10:21 am
Pope Francis sent a letter to Chile voicing his nearness to everyone suffering from the devastating effects of more than 100 wildfires, which have ravaged areas of the country for over a week now.
The letter, sent on behalf of the Holy Father by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the president of the Chile bishops' conference, conveys Francis' condolences for the deceased and their families in "this beloved country."
Pope Francis "offers condolences for the eternal rest of the deceased," the Jan. 23 letter states, asking Bishop Santiago Silva Retamales "to transmit to the families of the victims his heartfelt condolence and express his spiritual closeness to the wounded and to those who suffer the consequences of this catastrophe."
The government of Chile has declared a state of emergency as they fight blazes which have destroyed homes, farmland, and livestock in the central and southern regions of Chile. Six people have died in the fires: two policemen and four firefighters, the Washington Post reports.