Prayers asked for woman killed in freak accident at papal Mass

Last updated on: January 17, 2015 at 11:55 am by CNA Daily News

Prayers asked for woman killed in freak accident at papal Mass 2015-01-17T11:55:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Manila, Philippines, Jan 17, 2015 / 04:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A local woman was killed at an airport near Tacloban, Philippines where Pope Francis had just celebrated Mass for thousands of people amid strong winds and rain brought on by Tropical Storm Amang.

“The Pope has been informed about the death of our young friend” when he returned to the nunciature, said head of the Holy See Press office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, during a press briefing on Jan. 17 a few hours after the incident.

Fr. Lombardi added that the Holy Father requested additional information on the family so he could demonstrate his “participation in their suffering.”

During the briefing, prayers were asked for the soul of the 27-year-old woman who died shortly after the Mass with Pope Francis when the scaffolding of a speaker near the altar fell on her.

Between 200-300,000 people braved harsh weather conditions to attend the open air Mass on Saturday morning with the Pope, who is there as part of his Jan. 12-19 tour of Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

Director of social communications for the Palo archdiocese, Fr. Amadeo Alvero, told reporters earlier in the day that the crowds of people had nothing to do with the incident, adding: “We are sorry that this had to happen.”

Weather concerns forced Pope Francis to cut short his visit by four hours to Letye island, where Tacloban is the largest city.

The Pope was in Letye to meet personally with survivors of super typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Philippines in 2013, and other disasters which have struck the region.

Asia - Pacific

Previous Post

January 17, 2015

A simple, intense encounter: Pope Francis and Manila's street kids

Next Post

January 17, 2015 Pope Francis to Philippines cardinal: 'this visit is really for me'

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Tabernacle" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Dwelling place Holy altar Sacrifice Cupboard