Pontiff prays for Roman Catholics, Parisians affected by Notre Dame blaze

Pope Francis stands with France and is praying for Roman Catholics and Parisians alike after a devastating fire raged through the iconic Notre-Dame cathedral in the heart of the city," the Vatican said Tuesday.

"The pope is close to France, he is praying for French Catholics and for the people of Paris in face of the terrible fire which has ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral," the head of the Vatican press office Alessandro Gisotti wrote on Twitter. "He offers his prayers to those trying to face up to this dramatic situation," he added.