At the World Youth Day (WYD), which is currently taking place in Lisbon, the French delegation is in mourning. A 62-year-old woman, belonging to the diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, died Wednesday after a serious fall down the stairs of the house in which she was staying in the Portuguese capital, the diocese said in a statement.
"With great sadness, we learn that Christine, 62, animator supervising the WYD group of Saint-Georges de Toulon, died on August 2 as a result of her injuries," wrote Bishop Dominique Rey, who went to his bedside with several of his relatives. The mother had been hospitalized in intensive care due to a head injury.
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Pope Francis, who arrived Wednesday in the Portuguese capital, invited four members of his family to the Mass celebrated privately at the apostolic nunciature in Lisbon, Vatican News reveals.
A committed coach
Christine was particularly involved "in her parish of Sanary, in the Laudato Si group and with the young people of Saint-Georges whom she accompanied," said the bishop of Fréjus-Toulon. She "rejoiced to allow young people to live the World Youth Day," writes Bishop Dominique Rey. We continue these encounters thinking of her, carrying her in our prayers, in communion with her, with all our heart". A psychological cell has been opened for young people present in Lisbon.
The France Bishops' Conference also paid tribute to the moderator. "In communion with Bishop Dominique Rey, the priests, the accompanists and the young people of his group, as well as all the young people of the Var present in Lisbon, we pray for Christine, for her three daughters and for her loved ones who are in great sorrow," she said in a statement.
More than a million Catholics flock to Lisbon for WYD, including more than 40,000 young people from metropolitan France and the French overseas departments and territories. This large gathering of Catholics from all over the world, to participate in masses and giant prayers, is held until Sunday, August 6.