Vatican City, Mar 28, 2018 / 09:07 am
When Peter Lombardi was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015, his wish was to get a kiss from Pope Francis, but his family's plans to see him at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia fell through when Peter was in the hospital.
His wish came true March 28 when Francis saw Peter, 12, who has Down syndrome, in the crowd of people and stopped the popemobile to have him lifted in. Peter not only got a kiss from the Pope, but a blessing, and a ride twice around the crowded square during the General Audience in St. Peter's Square.
"If the Pope could have just waved to him I would have been happy," Peter's mother, Brenda, told CNA. Peter said that he likes the Pope and that getting a kiss from him made him feel better.
"I rode with him and he gave me a kiss and blessing," he said. He was also happy to have received a balloon animal after the experience.