A woman who lost an arm in the 2013 earthquake that struck the Province of Bohol had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis upclose in 2015.

Salome Israel, a resident of Tubigon town said that the personal encounter with Pope Francis is a divine gift she will cherish for as long as she lives.

Inside her class advisory room, a picture of the 34-year-old Salome with Pope Francis was mounted. The picture showed that the pontiff held her hand. In another photograph, Pope Francis was seen putting a hand on Salome’s head as a sign of blessing.

According to Salome that even in her dreams she did not hope to be with the Pope. But God works in mysterious ways, indeed. She was able to meet Pope Francis personally, dine with  him, and had a conversation with him. 

“When I met Pope Francis last 2015, I was so blessed and I felt privileged for [being given] a chance to dine with him, and not just to dine but to talk to him personally. During the time when I met him, a lot of opportunities have come to my way. Meeting with the people was like impossible to happen, yet it truly happened. There's nothing impossible,” Salome said.

Salome added that after her encounter with the Pope, she felt blessings pouring more than ever, and that indeed hope springs eternal.

“It really changed my life. Pope Francis is not just a spiritual leader, also he is a guiding light for me. His presence brought me hope, faith, and strengthen my faith especially to God,” Salome added.

Salome was among five survivors of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol in 2013 who were given the opportunity to partake lunch with Pope Francis  at the Archbishop’s Residence in Palô town, Province of Leyte in a papal visit in 2015. 

When the temblor struck Bohol, a concrete wall pinned Salome to the ground and crushed  her right arm.

The predicament, she said, reversed entirely her view about life, as she lost sense of moving forward. But her faith was renewed by the impact of that encounter with Pope Francis.

She held on to hope again and strove to finish her studies.

Salome graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, and passed the Teachers Licensure Examination. 

(via Leo Udtohan/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)