Strangers Donate £74,000 For Boy With Cerebral Palsy After Pope Francis Blessing

A boy suffering from cerebral palsy who was blessed by Pope Francis last month will be getting a new handicap vehicle after nearly £74,000 was raised to pay for his care.

Michael Keating was pictured being kissed and blessed by the Pope when he visited Philadelphia on his U.S. trip in September.

Now the 10-year-old’s family has revealed that strangers around the world have donated thousands to help make Michael’s life better.

The money is set to pay for a new handicap accessible vehicle that has been on the family’s “wish list” for years.

The rest of the money will go towards Michael’s care and other expenses.

Michael’s mother, Kristin Keating, said that she had to be talked into setting up a crowdfunding page after the Pope’s blessing.

She told the Washington Post: “We really had to be talked into it.

“We took this on. It’s not everybody’s responsibility to care for Michael.”

Kristin, who has had two operations for hernias as a result of the strain of lifting her five stone son, said of the Pope’s blessing: “I just feel like it’s someone else who is going to pray and watch over Michael.

“It’s someone who’s a little closer to God maybe who is putting in a good word to look out for Michael.”

Pope Francis got out of his car as he drover through crowds and leaned over the barricade to bless Michael, before grasping his parents’ hands.

The picture was seen across the globe and the family received more than 900 donations as a result - including £32,000 from Star Wars director JJ Abrams and his wife, Katie McGrath.

Pics: AP/Rex