Pope Francis promised to pray for me if I promised him one thing: New Yorkers recall meeting the late pope in 2015

Pope Francis, who became the first South American and Jesuit in the most powerful position in the Catholic Church, made a historic visit to the US in September 2015, traveling to New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.After the 88-year-old pontiff’s death on Monday, April 21, four New Yorkers recall the heartfelt moments when they came face to face with the pontiff here in the city — and how their lives were changed forever.“When I met Pope Francis, I was 12 years old.It was a very dark time for me and my family.

I had been a very healthy, active young girl, playing sports and dancing.But when I was 9, I had a tick bite.

Two years after that, I started feeling numbness in my legs.Then I couldn’t walk.

I was paralyzed from Lyme disease.I was in shock and so helpless.There were moments when I was asking God, ‘Why?’ It tested my faith. We weren’t getting a lot of medical help, and I couldn’t go back to school [at St.

Bernadette Catholic Academy in Dyker Heights].But my principal said the Holy Father was coming into town and he would try to get me tickets to meet him.

The tickets were very hard to get.When we did, I knew it was God showing me a sign.We were on the tarmac at JFK.

It was very hot that day and we were waiting for two hours.They told us the pope wasn’t going to come over to anyone because he was running late.Yet he came right to my family and me.

I was in shock.I was hysterically crying.

He gave me the blessing  — he put his hand over my head and he didn’t say a word.I was in shock.

It was a magical moment.A once in a lifetime moment.

And it happened at a time in my life when I  really needed it. That little moment changed the course of my life.People saw me on the news and so many reached out.

People from my community started raising money and I was able to get treatment. Meeting the pope helped lead me to doctors.I do still use a wheelchair, but there’s been a lot of progress over the years.I’m doing so ...