PHILADELPHIA >> Chuck Keating prepared for weeks for Pope Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia, but what happened when the pontiff got here he could have never anticipated.
Keating is band director for Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown, Chester County, the 84-member band invited to perform at Philadelphia International Airport to welcome the pope to the city.
Keating brought his wife, Kristin; mother, Johanna; and children, Katie, 13, and twin sons, Christopher and Michael, both 10. Michael has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair.
Shortly after Pope Francis disembarked from the American Airlines’ charter, Shepherd One, the Keating family’s experience changed.
The pope entered a black Fiat, and as his motorcade circled the gather crowd, a man in Pope Francis’ entourage car pointed out Michael Keating to the pope.
“And the pope made him stop and got right out,” Johanna Keating said.
Pope Francis walked over to the family and blessed the boy, then kissed him on the head.
“It’s just mindboggling,” Johanna Keating said. “It’s something that will never happen again.”
Michael’s sister, Katie, who was standing next to her brother during the encounter was awestruck.
“It was just like amazing,” the teen said. “I can’t even explain. I kind of figured he saw Michael because I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s coming over here!’ I’m just so happy.”
Her grandmother agreed.”When he came over to Mikey, it was just something to see,” she said. “I can’t even describe it. I feel that God planned it that way.”
For this grandmother, Pope Francis will always hold a special esteem.
“The pope, he’s just a gentleman,” she said. “You wouldn’t even know he’s a dignitary.”
Michael’s dad, Chuck, hesitated to capture the right words to describe that instant.
“It’s just unbelievable,” he said. “It’s just a blessing really. To get that blessing and to give him a kiss on the forehead, I had to turn away, I couldn’t stand it. It’s one of those things, I think, when we get home, it’ll all sink in.”
It was a moment that surpassed any of his expectations.
“You always dream of maybe seeing the pope, but now the fact that he actually came over and blessed my son … it’s just unbelievable,” Keating said.
