Pope Francis reaches out, receives reporter Jiggy Manicad’s rosary

(Updated 3:20 p.m.) Unmindful of drizzles, Pope Francis stretched out his arm from his moving vehicle to receive a small offering from GMA News' reporter Jiggy Manicad in Tacloban City on Saturday.

Manicad ran in short, halting steps alongside the Popemobile, even as raincoat-clad security personnel flank him.

After shouting Francis' name, the Pope looked and smiled at Manicad and took the plastic-covered rosary from the reporter's outstretched hands.

Jumping with joy, Manicad shouted "I love you!" even as the Popemobile slowly carried the Pope down the aisle leading to the stage near the seaside of the Tacloban City airport to officiate the scheduled Mass there.

"Salamat, salamat po sa pagkakataon," Manicad managed to say afterwards, still surprised by his luck.

In a later interview, Manicad told GMA News Online he was able to give to the Pope – together with the rosary – images of St. Maichael, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and a letter.

The plane that carried Pope Francis landed at the Daniel Romualdez International Airport amid inclement weather due to Tropical Storm Amang (Mekkhala) at 8:47 a.m.   — Rie Takumi/LBG, GMA News