Pope Francis Stops Motorcade In Philadelphia To Get Out And Bless Disabled Boy [Video]


Pope Francis is currently visiting different locations throughout the United States and he has a very busy schedule ahead of him. Still, that doesn’t seem to keep him from taking time out to do what he believes is right. An example of his determination occurred on Saturday afternoon, when Pope Francis brought his motorcade to a screeching halt so he could get out of the car, kiss the head of a young disabled boy, and kiss his forehead.

As Yahoo News reports, the young boy is 10-year-old Michael Keating, who was with his family behind a fence at the Philadelphia airport at the time. Keating has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair.

Pope Francis got into his vehicle and he happened to spot the boy as the motorcade was driving away.

In video footage captured of the incident, Pope Francis can be seen ordering the vehicle to stop. As it comes to a halt, Pope Francis gets out of the vehicle and walks over to the boy. He put his hand on Keating’s head and then leaned down to kiss him on the forehead.

Kristin Keating, Michael’s mother, was crying uncontrollably as this took place.

Kristin Keating then proceeded to thank Pope Francis, who also shook hands with her husband, Chuck Keating. Chuck is the band director for Bishop Shanahan High School, and his band was there to play for the pope as he arrived in Philadelphia. It was his last day of six in which he visited the United States.

Not being able to believe what had happened, Kristin Keating said it “was an unbelievable feeling.” She said that she felt “totally blessed and loved” by Pope Francis after what he had done for her family.

Philly.com reported that after shaking hands with Chuck Keating, Pope Francis touched Michael’s head again and went back to vehicle. Those in attendance said that it brought a very faint and forced smile to young Michael’s face.

Michael Keating had gotten up at 2:15 a.m. to travel to Philadelphia and he had apparently been agitated throughout the morning. It appeared as if he calmed in the presence of Pope Francis though. Kristin Keating knows something special happened and “it meant something.”

“When the pope took his hand off him, he had a bit of a smile on his face. To me, in that moment, he must have felt that blessing.”

After an extensive six-day tour of the United States, Pope Francis concludes his trip with a final stop in Philadelphia. Still, he always has time for others, as demonstrated when he stopped his car to bless young Michael Keating, a 10-year-old disabled boy who just wanted to see the pope.

[Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images]

Share this article: Pope Francis Stops Motorcade In Philadelphia To Get Out And Bless Disabled Boy [Video]
More from Inquisitr