Pope Leo XIV prayed for the victims of the Wang Fuk Court tragedy as Hong Kong authorities confirmed that the death toll from the city’s worst fire in decades has climbed to 159.
Dec 04, 2025
People leave flowers for the victims outside the Wang Fuk Court apartment blocks in the aftermath of the deadly November 26 fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on December 2, 2025. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP)
VATICAN: At the end of Mass in Beirut’s waterfront district on December 2, the pontiff said, “I have not forgotten the victims of the Hong Kong fires and their beloved families.”
He also promised to pray for peace in the Middle East and added, “I also offer my prayers for a peaceful resolution to the current political conflict in Guinea-Bissau.”
The pope issued an appeal to global leaders to “hear the cries of your people for peace!”
He urged Christians in the Levant to show courage as they “express the love of the entire Church for them” and entrusted the faithful to the protection of Our Lady of Harisa.
In Hong Kong, police said all affected towers of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had been searched following last week’s blaze, now confirmed as the world’s deadliest residential building fire since 1980.
Officers said the toll may still be revised after finding “suspected human bones” that require forensic testing.
Rows of origami cranes decorated parts of the park. More than 2,900 residents have been moved to temporary housing, while residents of the estate’s only unaffected tower were allowed to return briefly to collect belongings.
Authorities earlier said that failures in the renovation materials worsened the spread of fire. The buildings had been surrounded by bamboo scaffolding, protective netting and foam boards.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn ordered all buildings undergoing major maintenance to remove their netting by Saturday.
Police have arrested 15 people, including construction company bosses, on suspicion of manslaughter. Another six were detained over malfunctioning fire alarms.
The disaster has fueled public calls for accountability, even as officials warn against unrest.
Chief Executive John Lee cautioned against crimes that “exploit the tragedy”. Beijing’s national security office said “external hostile forces (that) have seized upon the disaster to stir up trouble and incite chaos” will be pursued.
Local media reported that three people, including student Miles Kwan and former district councillor Kenneth Cheung, were arrested for sedition over the weekend. Both were later seen leaving police stations.
At Hong Kong Baptist University, a student-run “democracy wall” was cordoned off on Wednesday. A message visible behind barricades read, “We are Hongkongers. Urge the government to respond to public demands so justice can be done.”
The tragedy has also weighed heavily on Hong Kong’s migrant worker community.
Sister Corazon Demetillo, RGS, offered a prayer for those who died while caring for their wards: “Our merciful God, we entrust into your loving embrace all the migrant workers who lovingly protected and cared for their wards, even at the cost of their lives.”–LiCAS.news