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Pope marries flight attendant couple mid-flight

Updated on: January 18, 2018 / 11:42 AM EST / CBS News

Pope marries flight attendant couple on plane

Pope Francis has married a couple of flight attendants on board a flight from Santiago, Chile, to the northern city of Iquique.

Carlos Ciuffardi and Paola Podest had planned to wed on February 27, 2010, but a massive earthquake struck and their church collapsed on their intended wedding day. They eventually had a civil service, but had yet to be formally married in the eyes of the Catholic Church.

The two LATAM Airlines flight attendants were on the trip from Santiago to Iquique and, as all crew members are given the opportunity to do, went up to the front of the aircraft for a photo with Pope Francis.

When the pope asked them if they were married, the couple revealed the story of how the deadly quake had forced them to cancel their wedding. The pontiff asked if they would like him to conduct the ceremony right there on the plane, and they agreed.

A photo released by the Vatican shows Pope Francis marrying LATAM Airlines flight attendants Paula Podest and Carols Ciuffardi during a flight between Santiago and Iquique, Chile, Jan. 18, 2018. Vatican Media

The pope asked them repeatedly if they were sure, but they didn't waver. Pope Francis blessed the wedding rings the couple have worn since their civil ceremony. The couple, who met when Podest was working as Cuiffardi's boss, now live in Santiago with their two children.

Carlos and Paola Ciuffordi kiss after being married by Pope Francis on board a LATAM Airlines flight between Santiago and Iquique, Chile, Jan. 18, 2018. POOL

"We can't believe the Pope married us," Carlos told members of the media on the flight. "A pope has never married anyone on a plane."

"We hope it will promote marriage," the groom added. "We have a Vatican document, it's all valid."

The chairman of LATAM was roped in as an official witness to the wedding, and an accompanying Chilean cardinal drafted the legal document for the marriage by hand.

A handwritten wedding certificate records the marriage of LATAM Airlines flight attendants Carlos and Paula Ciuffordi, conducted by Pope Francis during a flight on Jan. 18, 2018 between Santiago and Iquique, Chile. POOL

Pope Francis gave the bride a white rosary and the groom a black one. He asked Ciuffardi if his wife was still the boss, to which Ciuffardi laughed and said yes.

The Catholic Church leader told the couple. "this is what's missing in the world, the sacrament of marriage. I hope this motivates couples to marry."

The couple said they planned to celebrate in Iquique Thursday night with colleagues, and have a "tiny honeymoon," as they were scheduled to fly back to Santiago the following day.