At 5:30am, Sherwin and Sweety Arakal stood in line for Pope Francis' Wednesday General Audience with their two young children. Yet, the early wake-up call was well worth it—their newborn baby received a surprise blessing from the Pope.
SWEETY ARAKAL
Mother
We don't have any special nothing—we don't have any special tickets for blessings. But, they saw us with a small baby and they took us inside so we are very happy today, very, very happy.
Originally from India, Sherwin and Sweety Arakal moved to Rome to get married and start a family. In Indian tradition, mothers are encouraged not to leave the home with their newborn until approximiately 40 days postpartum. On the day Sweety was able to leave her house, her first priority was to bring her baby to St. Peter's Basilica.
SWEETY ARAKAL
Mother
Last Saturday, he completed 46 days actually, and we just entered to the Vatican Church. His first visit is Vatican Church, Rome. And after his second visit, the Audience, he got the blessing!
Our life is blessed, very blessed.
Although the Arakals are far from their family in India, they are confident that the Pope's blessing extended to all of their relatives at home.
AT
