Pope Francis sends condolences to families of wildfire victims in South Korea

Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with the people of South Korea who went through a devastating wildfire that killed 28 people.

The Holy Father sent his condolences to the families of those who perished in a telegram written on his behalf by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

“His Holiness Pope Francis is deeply concerned by the threat to life and the damage caused by the widespread wildfires in various parts of Korea,” wrote the cardinal on March 28.

“Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, he sends heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss. His Holiness likewise offers prayers for the injured and the relief efforts of the firefighters and other emergency personnel. Above all, he invokes the divine blessings of consolation, healing, and strength,” he said.

The wildfire, which has been going on for a week, has burned more than 118,000 acres of land in southeastern regions of South Korea, forcing over 30,000 people to evacuate.

There were 37 injuries in total.

Aside from scorching residential areas, business districts, and mountainous regions, the wildfire also claimed a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple, as per the report of WBUR.

According to the Associated Press, the Korea Forest Service has declared that the fires have been largely contained, with the rain on March 27 helping a lot in lowering the temperature.

Forest Service chief Lim Sang-seop explained that they have broken down the main fire into a system so they can deal with smaller fires much easier.

“There are still dangers of breakouts of another wildfire, so we won’t loosen our vigilance and will make all-out efforts to prevent them,” he said.

Among the areas affected is the Diocese of Andong, where priests, religious people, and parishioners evacuated to the mountain behind Cheongsong Cathedral.

In response, the Catholic Church in South Korea has organized assistance to the affected individuals. 

Bishop Koo Yo-bi chairs the Nanum Foundation, which has pledged 1 billion KRW (roughly $680,000) in emergency funding, according to a Vatican News report.

Meanwhile, Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick has launched a fundraising program to provide them with further help.

He also prayed for the souls of the victims and expressed his deepest gratitude for every personnel and agency that has worked together to mitigate the disaster. 

“Even at this moment, I ask you to ensure the safety of all those who are struggling at the disaster site and to pay special attention to prevent further loss of life,” he said.