Pope Francis asks for minute of silence for dead volunteer

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis on Sunday morning asked thousands of young Filipinos at the University of Santo Tomas to offer a moment of silence for the 27-year-old female volunteer who died in Tacloban City Saturday.

Despite having not knowing her before, His Holiness spoke fondly about the young woman, Kristel Mae Padasas, whom he identified as a volunteer for the Catholic Relief Services.

Kristel helped prepare for the Mass that the Pope said at the Tacloban City airport, Pope Francis said.

After the minute of silence, the Pope led the faithful in saying a “Hail Mary” for Crystal and an “Our Father” for her mother and father.

Kristel was their only daughter, the pontiff said.

The Pope related that Kristel died after she was hit by a portion of the scaffolding on the stage.

The leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics was at the UST to meet the heads or representatives of different religions and for an encounter with the Filipino youth.

Edited at 11:34 a.m. to correct victim’s name from “Crystal” to Kristel Mae Padasas

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