Papal Plane Wedding Adventure
Just when you thought the 2018 South American trip was all about sermons and bright skies, Pope Francis decided to add a little sky‑high love story to the itinerary.
The Unexpected Wedding
- Location: A staggering 11,000 meters above Chile – so high even the pigeons couldn’t see the ceremony.
- Flight: A two‑hour cruise from Santiago to the coastal city of Iquique.
- The Couple: Carlos Ciuffardi (41) and Paula Podest (39), both flight attendants who share a passion for take‑offs, landings, and late‑night snack breaks.
- Previously Married?: They tied the knot in 2010 in a civil ceremony but never received the Church’s blessing.
- Why the Papal Plane?: Their chosen church had been crushed by an earthquake, so the duo opted for a celestial venue.
The Ceremony
In a hush‑hush setting, away from the eager eyes of the journalists bundled with the Pope, the pair signed their own handwritten marriage certificate. A touch of papal flair? The certificate carried the Pope’s simple signature: “Francis.”
Why It Matters
It was more than a quirky backyard wedding; as the Pope descended into Iquique on the third day of his tour, tens of thousands of pilgrims awaited him for an open‑air mass on the Pacific coast. Amid a crowd of faith and fervor, the whimsical air‑plane union added a personal twist to the event.
So next time you look up at the sky over Chile, remember that even a Pope can keep things flying high—and love is no exception!
