Our readers might remember the charming boy who joined Pope Francis on stage at the general audience of October 20.
Bishop Leonardo Sapienza left his seat to the Pope’s right, to the applause of the hundreds of faithful gathered in the Paul VI Hall, so that the child could sit down.
The child was quite interested in the Pope’s zucchetto and seemed intent on investigating it, even drawing one of the prelates by hand to help him. The child was visibly pleased when he was given one of his own, and returned to his place with his mom.
That boy was Paolo Bonavita, age 10. And, according to a report from CBS News, his interaction with the Pope might have been more than charming -- his mother claims it was miraculous.
CBS reports that Paolo, who is Italian, was in Rome for medical tests because doctors were worried he had a brain tumor. Paolo has autism and epilepsy and the doctors wanted to rule out cancer or multiple sclerosis.
Thus when confident Paolo marched up the stairs at Paul VI Hall -- the Pope spoke of him as an example of freedom, just what he was teaching about in his reflections on Galatians -- that stride was itself a "real gift," according to his mom, Elsa Morra.
This can't be happening!
"Climbing stairs by himself, when he normally needs help, I thought, 'This can't be happening,'" she told CBS News. And this, especially because the doctors were "almost certain it was a brain tumor."
Afterward, Pope Francis was able to greet Morra personally, telling her that he would be praying for Paolo.
"He took my hand and said, 'For you, the impossible does not exist,'" she said, according to CBS.
Less than a month later, doctors have told Morra that Paolo has no signs of cancer, and his symptoms have improved.
Morra said she'd tell the Pope, "Thank you for the miracle."
Watch the video of Paolo's moments with the Pope here:
