President Biden Cancels Rome Trip to Meet Pope Due to LA Fires
President Joe Biden has made the difficult decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Rome, where he was scheduled to meet with Pope Francis, in light of the devastating wildfires wreaking havoc across Los Angeles.
The White House made the announcement on Wednesday night following the president’s visit to Los Angeles, where he had to modify his itinerary due to the wildfires that have claimed the lives of at least five individuals in Los Angeles County.
Reason for Cancellation
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, “After returning from Los Angeles, where he met with first responders battling the unprecedented fires and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden opted to forego his trip to Italy to focus on coordinating the federal response in the coming days.”
President Biden, known for his strong Catholic faith, had initially planned a personal meeting with the Pope as a way to reflect on his long career in politics and possibly seek solace amidst the challenges he has faced recently.
Unexpected Turn of Events
However, with the wildfires in Los Angeles intensifying and the President’s responsibilities demanding his immediate attention, the trip to Rome had to be called off abruptly.
Upon his return to Washington, President Biden wasted no time in declaring a federal disaster response to aid in the firefighting efforts across the city.
Focusing on Crisis Management
Earlier in the day, President Biden had joined forces with California Governor Gavin Newsom at a Santa Monica fire station to address the ongoing crisis and ensure that all necessary resources were deployed to combat the wildfires.
By prioritizing the urgent needs of the nation during this challenging period, President Biden exemplifies his commitment to serving the American people in times of crisis.
