Kris Aquino teary-eyed after Pope Francis blessed sick aunts

Video by Kristine Angeli Sabillo

MANILA Philippines—An hour or so before Pope Francis entered Rizal Hall in Malacañang, a balding old woman in a wheelchair was brought into the room.

Her identity was a mystery to the onlookers who were eagerly awaiting the Pontiff, who is set to give his first public speech in the Philippines.

She was soon forgotten as President Benigno Aquino III and Pope Francis were ushered into the hall and mobbed by Palace employees and officials alike.

It was only after the event and after Pope Francis approached him and another woman that her identity was revealed

She was Maria Paz Cojuangco-Teopaco, the sister of the late former President Corazon Aquino.

“She’s the sole remaining sister of my mom,” television host and presidential sister Kris Aquino told INQUIRER.net.

Her “Auntie Passy,” she said, has been battling cancer for years.

When the crowd dispersed, it was revealed that the Aquino family also brought with them Maur Aquino-Lichauco, the elder sister of the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

After his speech, Pope Francis roamed the room in search of the two women. Together with the President, the Pontiff approached and blessed them.

Even before media approached her, Kris, as well as the two nurses who accompanied Auntie Passy, was crying, overwhelmed by what Pope Francis had done.

“Very close talaga yung family namin (Our family is very close). I think that’s why Noy (President Aquino) really made an effort to bring out Auntie Maur who suffered a stroke, when we were burying my mom, and our Auntie Passy to be able to be touched by Pope Francis,” a teary-eyed Kris said.