A young Venezuelan lawmaker saw a meeting with Pope Francis as an auspicious time to pop the question, getting down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend while the pontiff looked on.

Dario Ramirez was part of a group of Venezuelan deputies visiting the Vatican on Sunday when, to general amazement, he asked his girlfriend to marry him, Italian media outlets reported Wednesday.

In a video posted on the website of Il Fatto Quotidiano, a daily newspaper, Ramirez is seen speaking briefly with the pope before making his move, with Francis at first surprised but then smiling warmly at the couple as cheers erupted.

source: AFP