NYC Woman's Life-Changing Encounter with Pope Francis

Stephanie Gabaud's life took a miraculous turn during Pope Francis' 2015 visit to New York City. Diagnosed with spina bifida and other conditions, she received a personal blessing from the Pope at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

The Blessing:

Gabaud recounts the moment:

“I felt someone coming towards me, and I looked up and it was the Holy Father coming towards me,”

Their embrace and the subsequent blessing profoundly impacted her:

“After that blessing, I was a completely different person … I was happier, like, I don’t know what happened, a light bulb just turned,”

A Second Blessing:

In 2023, Gabaud's faith journey continued as she traveled to the Vatican and received a second blessing from Pope Francis.

“I’m just grateful and blessed that I had the opportunity to meet him and be embraced and blessed by him,”

Pope Francis' NYC Visit:

Pope Francis' 2015 visit extended beyond St. Patrick's. He also visited the Vianel Beauty Salon and Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem, a diverse community chosen intentionally to reflect New York's immigrant population.

Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, the executive director of Catholic Charities of New York, explained the significance of this visit:

“it was very natural that in New York, which is a city of immigrants, a city that is so diverse, that he would want to see how the church is reaching out and welcoming migrants to their new home in New York. The migrants were delighted he chose to meet with them.”

Gabaud, now a spokesperson for St. Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center in Yonkers, continues to share her inspiring story of faith and healing.