Philadelphia Baby's Brain Tumor Shrunk, Healed After Kissed By Pope Francis, Say Parents

By Mark Aserit
Pope Kiss

Two Pennsylvania parents said a kiss from Pope Francis healed their young daughter's inoperable brain cancer. They added their daughter's recovery is a miracle from heaven, and God blesses people who pray to him.

According to Joe Masciantonio, her 1-year-old daughter Gianna was suffering from a rare brain tumor. Medical experts declared her as "basically gone" after many rounds of tests, chemotherapy and surgery. In fact, the doctors only gave Gianna just a few weeks to live, according to Philadelphia Inquirer.

During Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia in September, Joe brought her daughter to the popemobile, and then the Pope spontaneously kissed little Gianna. 

Pope Francis had a papal parade in front of Independence Hall, where the miraculous healing from heaven was given.

Joe's wife, Kristen, said they had long dreamed of having Gianna meet the Pope, so they did not hesitate to attend the Mass in Philadelphia. The family is living in Warrington, Pennsylvania.

Nearly two months later, and after a round of several tests, the Masciantonios said Gianna's brain scan had a tremendous result. Findings showed that the previously incurable tumor is now shrinking significantly. Joe and Kristen praised and thanked God for the healing of their daughter.

"I think this is all from God. I believe the Pope is a messenger from God," Joe said in an interview with CBS Philadelphia. The parents also expressed that they can't wait to tell Gianna how her brain tumor had healed.

Brain tumors are one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in children under 14 years old. Moreover, the disease is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children under 20 years of age.

There are three types of brain tumor in children. They are Ependymoma, Medulloblastoma, and Astrocytoma.

A brain tumor is often treated with radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. There also studies that tries to know if a vaccine for treating a recurrent cancer of the central nervous system could be used as an alternative to cure cancer.

Before treatment begins, most patients receive steroids, drugs that relieve swelling or edema. Also, the treatment depends on the location, type and size of a tumor.

According to National Brain Tumor Society, Brain tumors are often deadly and change everything for patients and their loved ones. Their estimates show 4,620 children are diagnosed with a brain tumor every year, and their average survival rate is 66 percent.

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