It’s not everyday you get thanked by the Pope...

But for Margaret Kelly, that was exactly what happened when she turned up for Mass.

The Almondbury pensioner has been attending and helping out at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Somerset Road for nearly three decades.

And her hard work paid off when she received the Benemerenti medal from the Vatican - leaving her “gobsmacked”.

Great-grandmother-of-four Margaret, 80, started at the church by cleaning and laundering the linen for the altar in 1989.

Pope Francis
Pope Francis

She also helps out in the Over 60s group, volunteers helping the disadvantaged and homeless and is the President of the Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM).

She said: “I couldn’t believe it, it is such an honour to be recognised by the Pope. I will treasure it for the rest of my life.”

She has also been given a certificate, signed by the man himself, which was awarded by Marcus Stock, the Bishop of Leeds, in a service last month.

The Benemerenti is formerly a military award but now recognises people’s long-standing services to the church.

Margaret was nominated for the highly prestigious award by her priest, Father Steven Billington.

He said: “I haven’t been with this parish long but Margaret’s dedication and involvement is obvious.

“I put her name forward following the recommendation of parishioners and a beautiful testimony from Father Nicholas Hird, my predecessor.

“She is showing no signs of slowing down, her efforts have been phenomenal.”