A three-year-old Ameriscan girl charmed people across the world when she stole Pope Francis’ cap - and viewers’ hearts - in Rome on Wednesday.
In a video posted to Twitter by her grandfather, a tour guide, Estella Westrick can be seen being brought to the waiting pontiff. As he leans in to kiss her, the enterprising young girl takes the opportunity to reach up and pluck the pontiff’s skull cap, known as a “zucchetto”, off his head.
The pope and all those around him react with delight, as Estella returns to her grandfather’s lap, smiling and unperturbed.
Took my Goddaughter to meet the pope. She stole his hat! pic.twitter.com/SdSorop3uN
— Mountain Butorac (@MountainButorac) March 22, 2017
The video went viral and was retweeted nearly 3,300 times in four hours, with many in convulsions.
Estella’s grandfather later told CNN, “Right before she went up she was a little nervous. Then she stole his hat. It was hilarious, everyone was laughing including the Pope.”
The pope and his cap have had a turbulent relationship in the past. Faced with gusts of wind, it has repeatedly abandoned his head in public. And in 2013, while visiting a medical centre, another cheeky child stole his cap - so Estella’s gesture can’t have fazed him.
