Catholic priest dies as cross falls on him during livestreamed mass

Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari, a Catholic priest from the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, died on Saturday after a large wooden cross fell on his head during a livestreamed Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The incident occurred while the service was being broadcast on social media. Footage showed a heavy crucifix detaching from the wall and striking the priest on the head as he celebrated Mass.

Worshippers immediately tried to assist him and called for an ambulance. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest's death and expressed condolences to the Redemptorist community, as well as the priest's family and friends. The circumstances surrounding the cross detaching from the wall were not officially determined at the time of publication.

Police have not commented on the incident, and local authorities have not provided further information.