VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis sent his condolences to the victims and survivors of one of the worst wildfires in Chile's history.

SANTIAGO, Chile – In a wealthy area of Santiago, Maria Jose Griffin and her husband, Juan Carlos Cornejo, were in their spacious sitting room, preparing Christmas dinner for three families they have never met.

SANTIAGO, Chile – On a hot, sunny spring afternoon, 100,000 Christians from all walks of life traveled downtown to celebrate life. Santiago's pedestrian street, Paseo Bulnes, was packed tight with people from all over Chile. Many of them were neatly dressed: the men in slacks and dress shirts, the women in dresses looking as if they were going to church.

SANTIAGO, Chile – Outside the cathedral, Ricardo Reyes, dressed in a black tracksuit, waited with nearly 250 other homeless people to pass through white metal barriers for a special dinner to celebrate the Year of Mercy. Inside the nave, 10 tables were covered with red and white tablecloths, waiting for the food and guests.

Pope Francis met Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, while outside in St. Peter’s Square anti-abortion protesters drew attention to one of the most controversial topics up for discussion between the two leaders June 5.