Chile: Pope Francis conducts in-flight marriage ceremony

Source: Vatican News Service

History was made on Thursday, when Pope Francis performing a wedding ceremony for two flight attendants on his LATAM airways flight from Santiago to the city of Iquique in northern Chile.

Paula Podest Ruiz, and Carlos Ciuffardi Elorriga, said they had got married in a civil service but had been unable to have a wedding ceremony in their parish church Santiago, because it was damaged in an earthquake. When they asked the Holy Father if he would bless their marriage, he said: "Do you want me to marry you?"

They agreed and Pope Francis went ahead with the wedding ceremony. The airline's boss served as a witness, and a travelling cardinal provided a hand-written marriage document on a single sheet of paper, which was signed by the bride, groom, and witness.