This photo has been around the world as Pope Francis kisses a baby on the crown of the head on Market Street in Philadelphia during his landmark visit to the United States. That same girl was Gianna Masciantonio, who was already struggling with a terrible disease - an inoperable brain tumor. Despite the dire predictions of doctors who advised parents to prepare for the child's funeral, Gianna defeated cancer!
In September 2015, Pope Francis kissed baby Gianna Masciantonio on Market Street in Philadelphia.
At that moment, the girl was struggling with a terrible disease - an inoperable brain tumor.
Doctors suspected something was wrong when Gianna failed a hearing test at 4 weeks. The baby was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor on the brain stem.
Kristen and Joe Masciantonio advised putting their daughter in a hospice and preparing for the funeral, but the loving parents did not lose hope.
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The Catholic family began referring to the best hospitals throughout the country and found solace in prayer. Upon learning that Pope Francis was coming to town, the parents took their daughter to Market Street. An FBI friend helped them get as close to the procession as possible. Then a miracle happened: the Pope, unaware of the girl's illness, baptized and kissed her.
A month after meeting with the Pope, doctors recorded a decrease in cancer formation.
On Christmas Eve, it turned out that Gianna did not have cancer, but benign juvenile xanthogranuloma.
The girl went through 15 months of intensive chemotherapy, and the tumor quickly resolved.
The healed girl's parents donated $ 50,000 to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from their For the Love of Grace foundation.
“We saw Gianna die in the first year of her life, but now she's alive,” Kristen said.
Parents believe in the power of prayer, but do not believe that the kiss healed their daughter. “Gianna's life is a miracle,” Kristen added. "The kiss of Pope Francis is God's way of showing that he was with us in this trial and hears our prayers."
Now Gianna is preparing to go to kindergarten.