Pope Francis’ moment with 8-year-old shared across the globe

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A moment between Pope Francis and an 8-year-old boy named Emanuele Balderi from 2018 has resonated around the world following the pope’s death. Balderi’s father had passed away and since he didn’t believe in God, Balderi wanted to know if he had gone to heaven. Now 16, Balderi told NBC News’ Anne Thompson that moment - and Pope Francis’ answer - changed his life.

A moment between Pope Francis and an 8-year-old boy named Emanuele Balderi from 2018 has resonated around the world following the pope’s death. Balderi’s father had passed away and since he didn’t believe in God, Balderi wanted to know if he had gone to heaven. Now 16, Balderi told NBC News’ Anne Thompson that moment - and Pope Francis’ answer - changed his life.

April 25, 2025.