PORT Macquarie’s Sandra Wilson realised a childhood dream when she met Pope Francis on a visit to the Vatican.
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She rates the honour as one of the top two experiences in her life along with carrying the Olympic torch.
Miss Wilson and her friends Carmel Power and Mary-Anne Dunn were among 50,000 pilgrims in the general audience at St Peter’s Square on June 22.
Swiss guards escorted the trio to to an open seating area.
They met the Pope after the official ceremonies.
“When the Pope was coming down from the podium, he came straight towards me,” Miss Wilson said.
“Tears came to my eyes because I could not believe this was happening.”
Pope Francis kissed Miss Wilson on both cheeks, held her hands and blessed a set of rosary beds.
Miss Wilson delivered a message from St Agnes’ Parish priest Father Leo Donnelly.
She told the worldwide leader of the Catholic Church that St Agnes’ Parish in Port Macquarie was doing well.
Miss Wilson summed up the experience as absolutely wonderful.
“It was worth going to see him – he is a beautiful man,” she said.
Miss Wilson was born with achondroplasia, and stands at 120 centimetres in height, but this hasn’t held her back.
Community involvement is a big part of Miss Wilson’s life and she continues to inspire others.
Her contribution to parish life includes special minister of the Eucharist, reader and commentator on a regular basis and Catholic Women's League member.
Father Roland Agrisola from St Agnes’ Parish said the privilege of speaking to the Pope was a rare one.
He said it was the grace of God.
“It’s divine providence for her to be able to speak with the Pope,” Father Agrisola said.
He said Miss Wilson was actively involved in the parish.
The visit to the Vatican was part of a six-week holiday for the trio of friends.
Cardinal George Pell organised the meeting.
Miss Power said the experience was quite overwhelming.
“I think I was sort of in shock,” she said.
Miss Power said the Pope was gentle and very humble.
“That is the part about him everybody loves – he is just so humble,” she said.
Mrs Dunn said it was very exciting to meet the Pope.
“I liked the whole experience of seeing the Pope,” she said.
Mrs Dunn said the Pope shook her hand, talked to her and had a lovely smile on his face when they met.