As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, a Filipino father looked back on a personal encounter that became even more meaningful in light of recent events.
Dr. Timothy Ventura shared how, during a family vacation in September 2024, his infant son Theo was unexpectedly blessed by the late pontiff during a papal audience at the Vatican. Dr. Ventura’s wife, Dra. Isah Fortuno-Ventura, and their child were able to attend the event through the help of their friend, seminarian Brother Aaron Veloso.
Originally, the family had hoped to have a tapestry of St. Padre Pio blessed by the Pope, as Dr. Ventura is a devoted follower of the saint. But as they took their position among the crowd, the family was stunned when a member of the Papal security personally took baby Theo and brought him to Pope Francis for a blessing.
Now 1 year and 8 months old, Theo continues to grow under the memory of that rare moment. His father hopes he grows up to become a kind-hearted and faithful Catholic.
Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, died following a stroke and heart failure in Vatican City. He was widely loved for his humility, compassion, and closeness to the people—a trait evident in moments like this, where he personally reached out to children and families from around the world.
