
AI-generated summary
The incident occurred during a Saturday mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, when a wooden crucifix detached from the wall above the altar and struck the priest.
A Catholic priest died on Saturday when a wooden crucifix fell from a wall and crushed him against the pulpit as he celebrated mass in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil.
“Father, Father! Call an ambulance!” people at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church could be heard shouting just before a live-streamed broadcast cuts out.
The footage of the service shows a heavy crucifix detaching from the wall above the altar and striking Patricio Sanchez on the head. He did not appear to see it falling.
The graphic footage went viral on Sunday on social media and was widely carried by news outlets.

Pope Leo made his first public appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday following surgery to remove part of his right lung. The 71-year-old pontiff addressed pilgrims from the Apostolic Palace, thanking them for their support and pledging a gradual return to his duties.

Pope Leo XIV, who had undergone lung cancer resection only five days ago, made his first public appearance on the 18th. He appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican to preside over Sunday noon prayers. He looked good and thanked everyone for their prayers.

Pope Leo has been discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital four days after undergoing surgery to remove a portion of his right lung. He is expected to resume public duties on Sunday at St. Peter's Square.

The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV will be discharged from the hospital today after undergoing surgery to remove lung adenocarcinoma. The medical team said the postoperative recovery was good, and the Pope is expected to resume public activities in St. Peter's Square tomorrow and maintain his scheduled visit to South America.

Pope Leo XIV was treated at Gemelli Hospital for surgery to remove lung adenocarcinoma and was recovering well. The hospital said the Pope will be discharged from the hospital this afternoon and return to the Vatican, where he will recite the Angelus in St. Peter's Square as usual tomorrow.

The pope, diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, underwent successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and will lead Sunday prayers from his Vatican flat.