A kiss, a blessing, a moment of grace: Baby Everly and Pope Francis

It was a warm, sun-drenched morning in July 2022 when history and hope converged at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica in Quebec. As Pope Francis presided over mass, part of his historic visit to Canada aimed at reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, a quiet miracle unfolded.

In the crowd of worshippers and survivors was the Tshakapesh family from Labrador: Simeon, his wife Ruby, and their granddaughter Everly, a baby born with 3M syndrome, a rare genetic condition.

Their journey from Happy Valley-Goose Bay was driven by love and hope.

Born with 3M syndrome, Everly faced a long road ahead, including a major surgery in October. The condition brings significant health challenges: dwarfism, skeletal abnormalities, and a host of complications. But on that summer morning, the family’s faith found tangible affirmation in the Pope’s blessing.

Near the end of the morning mass, Pope Francis approached Everly. In a moment both tender and transcendent, he kissed her forehead, gently scooped her up, blessed her, and held her for photographs. It was a brief encounter, yet deeply significant — a spiritual moment shared by many, but remembered intimately by one family.

The Pope’s visit to Canada was filled with public addresses and solemn apologies, gestures aimed at healing the wounds of the past. But it was in moments like these — quiet and personal — that the heart of his mission truly emerged. This was not just an act of symbolism; it was an act of love.

Everly, though only a baby, carried with her the strength and resilience of a community. She met Indigenous elders from across the country, national leaders, and fellow pilgrims who saw in her not just fragility, but extraordinary courage. Her brief life was marked by deep connection, by meaning made manifest in human touch.

She passed away on 6 December 2022. In her short time on Earth, she inspired all who crossed her path. The blessing she received from Pope Francis became a lasting memory — one that continues to resonate with those who loved her.

Now, with the passing of Pope Francis, that shared moment at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is etched even deeper in memory.

For those who admired the Pope, it is these small, sacred gestures that defined his papacy. They were reminders that healing doesn’t always come through words, but through presence.

And in that gentle blessing of baby Everly, the world glimpsed the quiet grace of a man who believed in meeting people where they are—with open hands, with a bowed head, and with love.