Pope accepts flower from pilgrim

MANILA, Philippines - Anna Liza Jonson-Caing is still in a state of euphoria since Pope Francis received the bunch of flowers she was waving when he passed by at the Tacloban airport last Saturday.

Caing said she was a “last-minute pilgrim.” After dilly-dallying on registering as a pilgrim with their parish, she received a text message from her friend asking her if she wanted to be registered.

Her husband was concerned about her safety because of the large crowd and the rains, but she still decided to attend the papal mass at the airport.

Since she was among the last-minute pilgrims, she had to station herself on the left side of the airport road. The police moved them across where, to Caing’s shock, she saw first lady Imelda Marcos with the other pilgrims, patiently waiting for the chance to see the pope despite the rains and cold winds.

“I was really shocked when I saw Madam Imelda also got soaked by the rain,” Caing said in Filipino.

But she was more surprised when Pope Francis, aboard the popemobile, passed in front of her and took the flowers she was waving at him.

“The security guards were asking us to transfer to the other side of the road because Pope Francis would pass by there. And it was true, the pope passed by. I immediately waved the bunch of flowers that I was holding and I was shocked because he looked and smiled at me then took the flowers I was offering to him,” Caing recounted.

Caing is very grateful for the experience. She said she was not only able to attend the papal mass, but also got a “bonus” of being able to give flowers to the pope.