Pope Francis blessed three children during his first encounter with the American public, while in the popemobile in a parade around the White House Ellipse Wednesday.
And the crowd went crazy.
Many babies were held out over metal parade barricades by their caretakers, with hopes that security would grab them and carry them over to the Pope for an exclusive blessing. Only three children successfully made it over to him, two of whom were babies.
The first baby who received a blessing from the pope was a toddler boy with brown hair. A woman held him out over the barricade, grabbing a bodyguard’s attention.
The guard quickly walked over to the woman, grabbed the baby and brought him up to the pope for a blessing on his head.
The popemobile continued the parade route, passing by many other eager parents who held their babies out with high hopes.
Sofie Cruz, 5, from Los Angeles, was one of the fortunate. She was carrying a yellow banner and happened to make it out of the barricade, attempting to approach the popemobile.
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She hesitated and was picked up by a bodyguard to receive a blessing from the pope. Not only did she receive a blessing, but she also gave Pope Francis a T-shirt.
Telemundo anchor Jose Diaz-Balart spoke to Cruz, who says she "didn't get to say anything to the pope but was happy to meet him and give him a shirt."
Her father, Raul Cruz, says Sofie also delivered a letter to the pope. He says his family had to sacrifice just make it to D.C., but were able to due to the support of several organizations that support migrant families.
Shortly after the first two children, one last baby made it past the barricades. The baby was an adorable girl who had a pacifier in her mouth and wore green shorts.
