L.A. Girl, 5, Ignores Barricade, Kisses Pope, Pleads for Help

A 5-year-old Los Angeles girl got a personal papal blessing today when she slipped through a barricade in Washington, D.C., while Pope Francis was being driven past, and he waved her over.

Sophie Cruz managed to get around a metal fence as the Popemobile made its way down Constitution Avenue. She caught the pope’s eye, and the pontiff -- known for interacting with people in crowds -- waved the little girl over.

Her father, Raul, carried the girl over to the pope, who embraced her and kissed her head in front of a national television audience.

The girl handed the pope a letter, in which she urged the pontiff to talk to President Barack Obama about immigration.

“For the immigrants, they are good people,” she wrote in Spanish in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by ABC News. “They know how to work in the fields, growing oranges, watermelons, onions and many vegetables. Because they deserve to come out of the darkness and be recognized for the hard work that they do, like my dad, who I almost never see.”

She also handed the pope a hand-drawn picture, depicting the pope holding hands with a line of five children. The photo is captioned “My friends and I love each other, no matter the color of our skin.” She also gave the pope a yellow shirt.

Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Panorama City, said the shirt is worn by supporters of Hermandad Mexicana. Sophie and her father were among the members of the organization who received tickets from Cardenas’ office to watch the pope’s speech to Congress, scheduled for Thursday.

Sophie and her family attend La Senora Reina de Los Angeles Church. Her parents are Oaxacan immigrants to Los Angeles.

City News Service