Touching moment girl, 5, delivers letter to Pope Francis asking to help her parents stay in US

A five-year-old girl managed to breach the Pope's security to deliver him an important letter.

Pope Francis told his guards to move aside on the National Mall in Washington to allow Sophie Cruz - the daughter of illegal immigrants - to deliver her heart-wrenching note pleading for help in her family's battle to stay in the US.

"My heart is sad," Sophie's letter read, "I believe I have the right to live with my parents, I have the right to be happy...I am scared that one day they will take them away from me."

This drawing was also included in the letter.

Sophie's mother and father are from Oaxaca, in Mexico, and came to the US about 10 years ago.

The five-year-old recited the letter - which she had memorised - to reporters after her encounter with the Pope.

Her father Raul Cruz, 36, told the Washington Post: "She lives it every day. She sees family get separated, and we always tell her the truth when she asks why.

"The fathers and mothers of US-born children live in complete uncertainty."

Sophie's note