On Thursday, August 3rd, in the morning, before leaving the Apostolic Nunciature, Pope Francis celebrated a Mass with the family members of a catechist who passed away before the World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal.

The Pontiff officiated the Holy Mass privately, accompanied by four relatives of Christine, a 62-year-old French woman and catechism animator, who came to Lisbon for the World Youth Day and passed away a few days ago due to an accident at the place where she was staying.

Bishop Dominique Rey of the Diocese of Frejus-Toulon informed with “great sadness” about the news of Christine’s death. She was in charge of the World Youth Day group in Saint-Georges de Toulon (France) and died on August 2nd as a result of her injuries.

On Monday, July 31st, the woman suffered serious injuries from falling down the stairs of the house where she was staying in Oeiras, a Portuguese villa in the district of Lisbon.

According to Bishop Rey, Christine was hospitalized in intensive care and received the Anointing of the Sick. “I came to pray by her bedside, and several members of her family were able to gather with her before she left us.”

On this Thursday morning, the Holy Father offered comfort and words of encouragement to Christine’s family, especially her daughters, at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon.

“Her death deeply saddens us. Her fervor and her multiple commitments in her parish have left a profound mark on all of us,” wrote Bishop Rey.

“She made herself available to young people who needed on-site psychological support in Lisbon. Christine was delighted to give young people the opportunity to experience the World Youth Day. We continue these encounters, thinking of her and praying for her,” added the Bishop.