IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring
By Junno Arocho Esteves
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO
IQUIQUE, Chile (CNS) — Love was literally in the air as Pope Francis performed an
impromptu wedding ceremony at 36,000 feet aboard his flight in Chile.
During his flight to Iquique Jan. 18, the pope was approached by LatAm flight steward Carlos
Ciuffardi Elorriaga and asked for a blessing for him and his wife, stewardess Paula Podest Ruiz.
The couple were supposed to be
married in their home parish in Santiago Feb. 27, 2010. However, tragedy struck when an
earthquake destroyed the church. Eight years later, they remained only civilly
married.
Ciuffardi told journalists
aboard the flight that, after he explained their story, he asked the pope for
their blessing.
At that moment, the pope
surprised the couple with offering to marry them right there on the plane.
Ciuffardi said he asked his boss
and owner of LatAm airline, Ignacio Cueto, to be his best man.
The pope was on his way from
Santiago, Chile, to Iquique before heading to Peru later in the day.
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