Through Kara David: Elderly inmate’s rosary reaches Pope Francis’ hands

At least 30,000 feet in the air, an elderly inmate's hand-carved piety made its way to the hands of Pope Francis.

 

Strung together inside the Women's Correctional facility, the beaded pink-and-white rosary was handed over by GMA News' Kara David on the Pope's flight to Sri Lanka.

 

It included the picture and a letter from 81-year-old Petra Lukingan, one of the oldest inmates in the prison. She wished for the Pope to learn of her case.

 

"Hiniling ko sa Santo Papa na ipagdasal niya ang kalusugan at kalayaan ng matanda," David said.

 

Pope Francis unexpectedly responded to the reporter in English and thanked her for the gift.

 

"Una, nakaka-overwhelm, pero habang tumatagal... naramdaman mong taong-tao siya, at madali mo siyang ma-abot. Siya man yung Santo Papa, abot-kamay mo na siya at talagang winewelcome mo na siya," David explained.

 

David was among the 14 Filipino journalists invited aboard the Pope's plane to cover his Asia tour, including his highly-anticipated tour in the Philippines.

 

"This is a unique flight. We have here with us 14 Filipinos. Thus, this says something about what we can expect in that country. They will be joining us for the whole trip," Fr. Federico Lombardi, head of the Holy See Press Office. —Rie Takumi/NB, GMA News