Erik Matti’s stay in Italy just became more notable as he got blessed by Pope Francis himself.
On Instagram Monday, the Filipino director shared a video of the Pope smiling, walking, and giving his blessing with a bouquet of flowers on his hand.
“The Pope marched inside the church at 3:40pm,” Matti wrote, adding that his wife and screenwriter Michiko Yamamoto prepared all their rosaries “for God’s graces to shine upon it.”
“The Pope strides closer,” he continued. “He’s a few feet away, limping towards the chapel where he will offer a single rose to Mama Mary.”
Being informed that Pope Francis “has a sweet spot for Filipinos,” Matti added that Yamamoto made sure to practice a line featuring the Pope’s nickname in the Philippines: Viva Lolo Kiko.
While Yamamoto made a mistake, Lolo Kiko did not seem to mind at all.
“Michiko steps forward and shouts, ‘Viva Lolo Rico!’ [then corrected it], ‘Viva Lolo Kikooo!” he said.
“The Pope smiles. Blesses us all. Now, I can sin some more,” the director added.
According to Matti, a Filipino priest shared with them “top secret” info that the Pope always stops by a small church whenever he returns from his travels outside Italy to offer flowers to Mama Mary.
The priest also made some calls and let them know when the Pope was coming home from Bratislava thus, they were able to plan ahead and schedule their visit.
“When we went back to our apartment, we planned the biggest, riskiest ambush of our lives: Attack the church before 3pm and get ready to call out the Pope.”
“We had all our religious objects prepared for Pope’s blessings. It will be swift and fast,” he added.
Matti and company went to Italy to attend the 78th Venice Film Festival, where his film “On The Job” was among the official entries. It will also be shown in Rome and Milan. — Franchesca Viernes/LA, GMA News
Erik Matti gets blessed by Pope Francis in Italy
Source: Balitanghali
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