Child blessed by Pope Francis during meeting with families passes away

MANILA, Philippines - One of the babies blessed by Pope Francis during his visit to the country died last Friday night.

According to a television report, the Pope first saw the child being carried by his mother, Gladys Lao, at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena during his encounter with families last January 16.

The child suffered from pulmonary arterial hypertension and was only breathing through a nasal cannula connected to two oxygen tanks.

The baby also had weak lungs and a hole in them.

Around 16,000 people greeted the Pope at the MOA Arena during his second day of visit in the Philippines.

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