After landing in Philadelphia Saturday, Pope Francis’ motorcade started driving into the city before stopping suddenly on the tarmac for 10-year-old Michael Keating.
Michael has cerebral palsy, and so cannot move his arms or legs. He has already undergone several surgeries, with more to come in his young life. So when Francis saw him and his parents behind the security barriers, he motioned for his driver to stop.
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The pope stepped out of the car, gently kissed Michael on the forehead, and gave him a blessing. He then said a few words of consolation to the boy’s parents, in Spanish and too far from the press for microphones to catch.
Kristin Keating, Michael’s mother, told The Washington Post that while she didn’t understand the pope’s words, she clearly understood his emotion: “Love.” (RELATED: Gif Captures The Moment Secret Service Agent Literally Carries Little Girl To Get Pope Blessing)
And Michael’s father Chuck Keating, who led the high school band that played the theme from “Rocky” as the pope landed from New York, told the Post that he “had to turn away,” overwhelmed by emotion.
The Keatings are faithful Catholics who say that even though Michael’s brain has trouble processing what he sees and hears, he clearly loves music, his black lab Shiloh, and physical affection. They adopted both Michael and his brother, who is not disabled.
With his discomfort speaking English and participating in formal events, Francis has been visibly at ease during his American visit any time ordinary people are around, especially children. Throughout the trip, he has delayed his motorcade or popemobile to interact with and give blessings to those around him. (RELATED: At Lunch With Homeless (Not Congress), Pope Francis Highlights Jesus’ Poverty)
Sunday is the last day of Francis’ three-city, five-day visit to the U.S.
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