STORY: Pope Leo on Sunday (July 26) expressed solidarity with people affected by devastating wildfires in France and Spain and called for prayers for the victims and emergency workers battling the blazes.

Speaking during the Angelus prayer at Castel Gandolfo, the pope referred to wildfires that have hit several areas of the two countries in recent days.

Wildfires on the coast of southwestern France moved inland towards Bordeaux on Saturday (July 25), forcing the evacuation of thousands in the city's suburbs, while blazes across the border in Spain caused their first death.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated in both countries because of those fires, the latest natural disasters linked to sustained dry spells and successive heatwaves that scientists say have been exacerbated by climate change.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: CASTEL GANDOLFO, ITALY (JULY 26, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEADING ANGELUS PRAYER

2. CROWD IN SQUARE

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"In light of the devastating wildfires that have affected various areas of France and Spain in recent days, I wish to express my closeness and invite everyone to pray for those affected and for the work of the emergency responders."

4. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

5. POPE WAVING