A baby with a brain tumor underwent a miraculous recovery after a kiss from Pope Francis

August 18, 2018, 4:45 PM

When Pope Francis kissed baby Gianna Masciantonio in 2015, some saw it as an encouraging sign. The 1-year-old had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, Philadelphia’s Fox 29 News reported at the time. Doctors had not expected that she would make it to her first birthday, but she overcame the odds — and days after her birthday, Pope Francis kissed her head.

CBS Philadelphia reported that Gianna has histiocytosis, a rare condition that made it impossible for her to have surgery to remove the tumor. The blood disorder caused lesions on her brain stem, the outlet explained. Gianna was treated with chemotherapy, and CBS Philadelphia reports that now, Gianna is in good health and will begin preschool this year.

Pope Francis kisses a child during his visit to Philadelphia in 2015. (Photo: AP)

To commemorate Gianna’s recovery, her parents, Joey and Kristen Masciantonio, donated $50,000 to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where Gianna was treated. They made the donation in the name of the foundation they started, For the Love of Grace. Grace is Gianna’s middle name, and the foundation is dedicated to helping children with brain tumors and histiocytosis.

“From what I thought at age 4 months when I operated on her, if you would have told me she’d be running around getting ready to start preschool, I would have told you you’d be crazy. It just wouldn’t happen,” Dr. Phillip Storm, the hospital’s chief of pediatric neurosurgery, told CBS Philadelphia.

Whether or not Gianna’s recovery was affected by the kiss from Pope Francis, it sounds as if the medical team who worked with the baby is thrilled with her recovery. Pope Francis has apparently taken an interest in Gianna’s recovery, too. He didn’t know she was suffering from a brain tumor at the time of his visit to Philadelphia. But he’s kept up with the news of her condition, according to a 2016 report from CBS Philadelphia.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.

In The Know
Hawaiian teenager stuns social media with list of things that ‘only’ happen in his state: ‘I need to move’
A Hawaiian teenager is going viral after sharing a list of “unexpected” things his state doesn’t have.
In The Know
Woman calls out husband over ‘shocking’ life decision: ‘I told him my honest feelings’
A woman is stirring controversy after calling out her husband’s supposedly “shocking” life decision.
In The Know
Rare, enormous fish species washes up on Australian shore: ‘It looks like an alien’
A massive, ultra-rare fish has washed up on the shores of a popular Australian beach.
In The Know
Pandemic-ready bodysuit is dividing social media: 'I actually just screamed'
Social media users are divided over a photo of a jumpsuit that has a face mask built right in.
In The Know
TikTok reveals how Kendall Jenner skips waiting at restaurants: 'Y'all really gonna ruin this?'
Ever wonder how to get a high priority table at a place like Nobu?
In The Know
'Skinny' house with absurd proportions perplexes TikTok users: 'How does someone live there'
Surprisingly, it looks totally normal on the inside.
Yahoo Life Shopping
Jillian Michaels' 7-minute HIIT challenge burns 'a crazy amount of calories'
HIIT training burns fat long afer the workout is over. It requires you to exert yourself to the max for short intervals punctuated by recovery periods.
In The Know
11-year-old Nigerian’s rainy ballet performance scores him prestigious scholarship
Footage of Anthony Mmesoma Madu dancing in the rain might have just changed his life.
In The Know
Comedian is filmed by a bystander while pulled over by police: ‘I’ve never seen this happen to me’
A Black comedian is teaching a vital lesson after sharing his experience of getting pulled over by a police officer.
Yahoo Life Shopping
These clear face masks are teacher-approved: 'So excited for my students to see my smile!'
The best transparent face masks, according to teachers.
In The Know
Homeowner baffles internet with footage of mysterious flying creature: 'What is that'
A viral video of a mysterious fairy-like creature has thousands of TikTok users scratching their heads.
In The Know
Cops detain beachgoer over her bikini: 'Completely ludicrous'
The woman's friend caught the whole ordeal on camera.
Yahoo Life Shopping
Wayfair just launched having a massive flash sale — but only for the next 48 hours
Score deals on furniture and kitchen appliances for up to 60 percent off, bedding for up to 55 percent off, and so much more.
In The Know
TikTok's newest dating obsession is called 'the ick' and you've probably felt it before
The teens are trying to explain the infamous "ick" feeling on TikTok, but there's some real science behind it.
In The Know
Store owner slams ‘teen influencer’ over ‘entitled’ social media request: ‘Please stop asking’
A small business owner is going viral after calling out an alleged “teen influencer.”
In The Know
Gordon Ramsay ridicules home cook's ‘puke’-like fish and chips: ‘Are you kidding me?'
Home chefs beware: Gordon Ramsay is on TikTok, and he’s critiquing recipes like there’s no tomorrow.
Yahoo Life Videos
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit names Josephine Skriver 2020 Rookie of the Year
Victoria’s Secret model Josephine Skriver named Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s “Rookie of the Year."
Yahoo Life Shopping
This $21 Amazon sweatshirt is so soft, shoppers say it feels like its 'made from clouds'
This chic and snuggly pullover has pockets, and it's long enough to double as a dress.
In The Know
Woman issues urgent warning after unexpected diagnosis: 'They saved my life'
A woman took to Reddit to warn other women about the importance of paying attention to the warning signs their bodies send them — even when doctors won’t.
In The Know
Encounter with deadly sea creature terrifies beachgoers: 'Never going to the ocean again'
The ocean is full of fascinating (and frightening) creatures.
In The Know
TikTok users make ‘twisted’ discovery while exploring abandoned property: ‘Don’t go there’
A TikTok user is freaking out the internet after sharing her experience at a “haunted” abandoned property.
Yahoo Life Shopping
Ashley Graham showed off her stretch marks in a new Swimsuits for All campaign—and the line is 40 percent off right now
Snag a new suit—Swimsuits For All is offering 40 percent off already-reduced prices, starting at just $25.
In The Know
Restaurant owner claps back at influencer's ‘selfish’ demands: ‘You’re making a fool of yourselves’
A restaurant owner is drawing waves of online praise with his response to the “selfish” influencers who ask him for free food.
In The Know
McDonald’s employee shares ‘messed up’ incident that almost got her fired: ‘Check the cameras dude’
A McDonald’s employee is going viral on TikTok after sharing the “messed up” reason she almost lost her job.
In The Know
Woman divides Twitter with pre-marriage checklist: ‘Might as well not get married’
A young woman is causing a stir on Twitter after sharing all of the things she believes couples should discuss before they get married.
In The Know
Teen performer drops relationship bombshell on TikTok: 'You have some explaining to do'
National Girlfriend Day only rolls around once a year, and JoJo Siwa sure made it count.
In The Know
Woman takes down 'healthy' food myth in viral video: 'Not gonna spend my time arguing about bread'
A popular food TikToker had the perfect response for a critic who tried to label one of her recipes “unhealthy.”
In The Know
‘Wokefishing’ is the new awful trend on dating apps you have to watch out for
Because online dating wasn't hard enough.
In The Know
'Real Housewives' star Karen Huger praises Bravo for supporting its Black stars: 'A change is about to happen'
Bravo is standing behind the stars that make up its roster of iconic reality shows, and they’re taking notice. When the death of George Floyd fueled protests, overdue conversations about racism and calls for change earlier this summer, Bravo quickly became wrapped up in the conversation, with the network swiftly firing personalities from “Vanderpump Rules” and “Below Deck” in response to outrage from fans over racist incidents from their pasts. The network then doubled down on its stance against racism by doing more to uplift the voices of its Black talent, through initiatives like special episodes of “Watch What Happens Live” and an Instagram Live series called “Amplify Our Voices.” Bravo will also air a roundtable discussion called “Empowering Race in America: A Movement Not a Moment” on Sunday, August 9, night after “The Real Housewives of Potomac.”
Yahoo Life Shopping
12-packs of Purell are back in stock at Amazon—get your hands on the good stuff while you can
Purell hand sanitizers kill 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria.
In The Know
Woman reveals dark psychological details behind toxic relationships: 'I feel attacked'
Have you ever felt yourself magnetically pulled into a toxic relationship, despite all rational?
In The Know
Over 15,000 Amazon shoppers are raving about this TV and soundbar bundle deal that's under $300
Shoppers say they're "still trying to find something to dislike" about this incredible two-in-one deal.
In The Know
Freediver gets a ‘mermaid haircut’ from an unusual sea creature
Beth Neale is a freediving champion and her Instagram chronicles her mermaid-like adventures under water.
In The Know
Dad storms out of reveal party after learning gender of his unborn baby: 'It was a 50/50 chance'
An expectant father angered social media after storming out of the unborn baby’s reveal party upon learning the child’s gender. “She’s been grouchy her whole pregnancy so her sister offered to plan her a gender reveal party,” the man began, more or less already on the wrong foot. “The plan was that all the food and decorations would be blue or pink and in the end we’d get one of those special sparklers that would light up in either blue or pink to reveal the gender,” he continued.
In The Know
Disneyland guest shares ‘secret’ park feature for dog lovers: ‘I never knew this!’
One Disneyland fanatic is setting TikTok ablaze after sharing a park “secret” for dog-lovers.
In The Know
‘Real Housewives’ star Karen Huger breaks down ‘RHOP’ season 5: ‘It’s a powerful moment’
Season 5 of “The Real Housewives of Potomac” was perhaps one of the most anticipated seasons of a Bravo show in recent memory. With four original cast members — Karen Huger, Gizelle Bryant, Robyn Dixon and Ashley Darby — set to star alongside two other returning cast members, Monique Samuels and Candiace Dillard, as well as newbie Wendy Osefo, the “RHOP” cast was set for a banner moment ahead of their original May premiere date.
In The Know
TikTok is fascinated by this viral animal chiropractor
If you enjoy the sound of joints cracking, Dr. Joren Whitley's TikTok account is for you.
In The Know
Owner wants to get rid of Ireland's most haunted house: 'I’m not just going to sell it to anyone'
The mansion has 97 windows, 22 bedrooms, access to a nearby beach and is rumored to have housed the actual devil.
In The Know
Ingenious clothing hack will save your too-tight clothes: 'I won't have to go shopping for a bit'
Tyler Wright's hack only requires hair conditioner to size up a too-tight t-shirt.
In The Know
Subtle hints suggest several TikTok stars may get their own TV shows soon: 'Business-savvy young adults'
TikTok stars have likely taken over your phone in the past few months — and now some of them are on their way to becoming TV stars, too.

Yahoo Life
'They're magical': Stella & Chewy Meal Mixers for dogs are on sale at Amazon, today only
The mixes are so good for picky eaters and sensitive tummies, reviewers wish they had them for their kids!
Yahoo Life
This bestselling teeth whitening pen is said to remove years of stains — pick up two for $19
Shoppers say this pen works faster than professional in-office whitening treatments. More than 10,400 rave reviews can't be wrong.
Yahoo Life
The slim, cordless Dyson Animal vacuum has some seriously savage suction — and it’s $150 off
This lightweight stick vacuum is $150 off for a limited time.
Yahoo Life
This $21 waist trimmer will make you sweat—a lot: 'Wish I had this much sooner'
Find out why over 19,000 Amazon shoppers are raving about this tummy trimmer.

Related Stories

More FromYahoo Life

More From
Yahoo Life