By Daniel Payne
CNA Staff, Jan 10, 2025 / 12:05 pm
President Joe Biden has canceled his upcoming visit to Italy — what would have been the final diplomatic trip of his presidency and which included a planned meeting with Pope Francis — in order to address the ongoing deadly wildfires in Southern California.
Biden was set to travel to Rome from Jan. 9–12 at Pope Francis’ invitation. His audience with the Holy Father was set for Jan. 10.
In a statement this week, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that after returning from Los Angeles where he met with officials fighting the ongoing blazes, Biden “made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy.”
The president canceled the trip “to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead,” Jean-Pierre said.
The president’s planned meeting with the pope was set to focus on efforts to advance peace around the world. Biden was also scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Biden last met with Pope Francis in June of last year where the two discussed foreign policy in Israel, Gaza, and the Ukraine as well as climate change.
During a private audience at the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the two leaders “emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and a hostage deal” in Gaza and the need to “address the critical humanitarian crisis,” according to the White House.
Los Angeles archdiocesan officials and local Church leaders have been working this week to shelter and assist victims of the wildfires as the blazes consume entire neighborhoods and lay waste to significant portions of the suburban area.
One of the fires destroyed Corpus Christi Catholic Church and has forced the closure of dozens of Catholic schools. Numerous other churches in the area have also been destroyed.
Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez in a social media post urged the faithful to “keep praying for all those suffering” in the wildfires.
“My heart goes out to our neighbors who have lost their homes and livelihoods,” the prelate said. “Let’s pray for them and let’s pray for our firefighters and first responders. May God keep all of our brothers and sisters safe and bring [an] end to these fires!”
