Pope meets father of volunteer who died after Tacloban Mass

Pope Francis on Sunday met with the father of a volunteer who died in an accident shortly after his Mass in Tacloban City on Saturday.

 

A report by Vatican Radio said the Pope met for 20 minutes with the father of Kristel Padasas, at the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.

 

Padasas, 27, a volunteer for Catholic Relief Services, died after she was hit by a sound box after a scaffolding collapsed.

 

Tacloban City at the time was being affected by bad weather due to Tropical Storm Amang (Mekkhala), which cut short the Pope's visit in Leyte by four hours.

 

Earlier Sunday, the Pope offered prayers for Kristel at his encounter with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

 

The Vatican Radio report said the meeting with Padasas' father "lasted over 20 minutes, with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle acting as an interpreter."

 

Holy See Press Office director Fr. Federico Lombardi added two childhood photos of Kristen were on the table.

 

Lombardi said the girl's father was shocked over the death, but consoled that she helped prepare for the arrival of the Pope.

 

Meanwhile, Padasas' mother is returning from Hong Kong. The report said she is due in the Philippines Monday. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News