TACLOBAN, The Philippines — Kristel Mae Padasas, 27, died Jan. 17 from a head injury caused by a loudspeaker scaffolding collapse during Pope Francis’ visit to the reconstructed airport in storm-ravaged Tacloban.
The Pope had to cut his visit to Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport short as the city, still recovering from the 2013 super-typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, faced more bad weather. The Pope had planned to stay until about 5 p.m. but had to leave by 1 p.m. because tropical storm Mekkhala/Amang was making its landfall that afternoon.
As the Pope’s motorcade made its departure shortly before noon, the wind and rain from the tropical storm was intensifying. Padasas, a Catholic Relief Service volunteer, was hit by the steel loudspeaker scaffolding shortly after the motorcade passed. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries at about 2 p.m.
While meeting the next morning at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on Jan. 18, Pope Francis called for a moment of silence and prayers for Padasas. The Pope and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle also visited with Padasas’ father to console him for his loss.
Padasas had been working for Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency, on a recovery project in Tacloban.
“Her dedication to the people affected by the typhoon extended beyond her official work with CRS,” the organization noted, in a statement. “She traveled a great distance to volunteer at today’s papal Mass and to remember the victims of Haiyan,” the CRS statement added.
“Her colleagues remember her as someone who loved to laugh and who was always ready to assist outside her normal duties,” the statement continued. “She found great joy in being able to contribute to the recovery effort by working directly with communities and families. Our deepest prayers are with Kristel’s family and loved ones.”
