The story behind the little girl who ran to Pope Francis during the Papal Parade

A little girl defies security protocols and manages to give her message to Pope Francis

Millions of people watched the live telecast of Pope Francis' visit to Washington D.C where a five-year-old girl, Sofia, bravely defied security protocols and reached the pope during the Papal Parade.

MUNTINLUPA CITY, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Sofia, part of the delegation of the church in California, wished to encounter Pope Francis. She defied all security protocols when she handed the pope her letter. Her letter aimed to seek the Pope's advocacy and support for the legalization of illegal immigrants in the U.S. who could face deportation.

Pope Francis reached out to the girl once she was being taken back behind the fence. The child was then carried by security to Pope Francis in the middle of the parade. Sofia is part of a delegation of six children and 19 adults who came from a California Church. The delegation seeks for the Pope's support in the legalization of the millions of undocumented migrants and their children in the U.S.

The same delegation from the La Senora Reina de Los Angeles Church at Placita Olvera located in Los Angeles California talked with Telemundo, as well as several other reporters, about the purpose of their pilgrimage to Washington D.C. and how Sofia successfully managed to get close enough to Pope Francis to send him the group's message.

As a girl whose parents are immigrants of Oaxaca, Mexico, Sofia said "I think immigrants should be legalized since they have earned it. They work hard in the fields and the factories."

Before the pilgrimage, Sofia's dad stated, "We're hopeful the Pope speaks to Congress and those who have the power"

Although Sofia did not get a chance to speak with Pope, she did hand him the letter and a t-shirt that said "Papa Rescate DAPA," translated to "Pope, Rescue DAPA," which is President Obama's executive action that shields some young immigrants from deportation, but was halted after a judge's ruling.

The Pope saw the message from the t-shirt of Sofia that says "Pope, Rescue DAPA, so the legalization would be your blessing." The Pope briefly embraced little Sofia before he accepted the t-shirt the child had with her.

Sofia told Telemundo she was happy to meet Pope Francis.

"This has filled us with enthusiasm," Saucedo, Sofia's father told the Washington Time.

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