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Kiss from Pope Francis healed this baby’s brain tumor, say parents

25 Nov, 2015

One-year-old Giana Masciantonio was given only months to live because of the inoperable tumor in her brain, said CBS Philadelphia.

Just weeks after birth, reports said her blood cells started attacking her brain stem, which gave rise to large cysts. Her parents, Joe and Kirsten, were devastated.

But after a kiss from the Pope Francis, Giana’s parents say that there is almost no trace of the tumor in her brain!

Tip from a friend

A papal visit to their area, Philadelphia, gave them new hope, as FBI agent and friend Donny Asper tipped her parents off about a September 26, 2015 stopover.

At first, Joe was allegedly reluctant and didn’t want to see the Pope. Giana was reportedly very weak after undergoing chemotherapy. But Kirsten was adamant and hopeful. She really wanted Giana to see the Pope. The doctors encouraged them to go.

Kiss of healing?

So when the Pope passed by Philadelphia, the police arranged it so the little baby girl got a few moments with the church leader.

Papal bodyguard Domenico Giani took Giana from her parents and held her up to Pope Francis. According to Joe and Kirsten, the fact that Giana’s older brother is named Dominic is supposedly further evidence of the miraculous healing and holiness of the encounter.

Watch this video to see how he bestowed a kiss on the baby:

Kirsten and Joe say that it was this kiss that allegedly brought miraculous healing to their young daughter. After more rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, Giana is now on her way to recovery and is catching up on milestones!

“She’s getting better and stronger. She’s blowing kisses. She’s starting to point at things,” Kristen Masciantonio said in an interview with Eyewitness News.

Read: Parenting lessons we learned from Pope Francis

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Danielle Ann Abesames-Santos

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