Outgoing US President Joe Biden will not depart on what would have been the final overseas trip of his presidency so he can "remain focused on directing the full federal response" to the wildfires, the White House says.
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In a short statement, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had travelled to Los Angeles on Wednesday to meet with police, fire and emergency personnel.
After that trip, he decided to cancel the upcoming trip to Italy, Jean-Pierre said.
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Biden had intended to have one more audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Friday. He had also planned to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the trip.
