Pope Francis prays for migrants killed in 'tragic' fire near U.S.-Mexico border

By Justin McLellan, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis prayed for the victims of a "tragic" fire that killed at least 38 people and injured some 29 others at a migrant processing center in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, March 27.

During his greeting to the Spanish-speaking faithful at his March 29 general audience in St. Peter's Square, the pope dedicated a silent prayer to the victims and their families.

"Let us pray for the migrants that died yesterday in a tragic fire in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. May the Lord receive them in his kingdom and console the families," he said before bowing his head in silence.

A woman in the crowd in St. Peter's Square stood and waved a Mexican flag.

Mexican authorities said the fire broke out when the migrants set mattresses on fire after learning they would be deported.

The migrant processing center in Ciudad Juárez sits across from El Paso, Texas, along the United States' border with Mexico. The dead and dozens injured included people from Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela, El Salvador, Colombia and Ecuador who were seeking entry to the United States.