Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Filipino director Erik Matti had a rare opportunity to have a close encounter with Pope Francis.

In a post on Instagram, Direk Erik shared a story about how they waited at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome to have a glimpse of the Pope.

He shared, "We went out to dinner with a Filipino priest introduced to us by Carmelengo Ernest Escaler who told us a top secret, confidential, Dan Brown-Robert Langdon level information about the highest leader in the Catholic church (second to God, maybe), the Pope."

"Every time he comes from his travels outside of Italy, when he returns, he passes by this small church to give an offering to Mama Mary. Everyone at the table were wide-eyed and excited at the prospect of probably seeing the Pope up close without much fanfare with an air of exclusivity that probably only us would enjoy without the world knowing about it,” he added.

"The Pope was in a trip in Bratislava. The priest informer made some calls and found out when he will be arriving, 3pm the next day. Our priest informer then added that the Pope has a sweet spot for Filipinos and the way to get his attention is to call our 'Viva Lolo Kiko.'"

Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia while Kiko is a nickname of Filipinos for someone named Francis.

Direk Erik continued, "When we went back to our apartment, we planned the biggest, riskiest ambush of our lives. We had all our religious objects prepared for Pope's blessings. It will be swift and fast. The Pope marched inside the church at 3:40pm. The Pope strides closer. The Pope smiles. Blesses us all."

Aside from Direk Erik, take a look at other Filipino celebrities and personalities who have a close encounter with the Pope in this gallery: