MANILA -- Comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas was surprised to have been given a Papal Award for her "distinguished service to the church."

Delas Alas received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, which is the highest award given by the Pope to lay people.

On Monday, delas Alas shared the Instagram post of popular lay minister Bo Sanchez, who congratulated the comedienne for her latest recognition.

A photo posted by Bo Sanchez (@brotherbosanchez) on Oct 16, 2016 at 10:01pm PDT

According to Sanchez, delas Alas was "shocked" when she heard the news, asking him, "Why me? I'm a sinner!"

"I'm happy that I'm part of the Catholic Church that shows the amazing mercy of God. The Vatican investigated her life, her colorful past and failures, but they also saw how Jesus is working in her life, as shown by her selfless work for the poor and the church. God uses broken people. And through our cracks, His light shines," Sanchez wrote.

Delas Alas thanked Sanchez for always being there "upang ipagdasal ako sa aking mga kahinaan at kasalanan."

"Maraming salamat sa PANGINOON... at sa ating santo papa para sa award na ito," she wrote in the caption.

A thanksgiving mass was offered for delas Alas' award on Monday afternoon.

Delas Alas is a known Marian devotee and even produced the concert "For The Love of Mama" at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last year.

She also had a fundraising event to help in building the Kristong Hari Church at Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.