Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at 7:35 a.m. local time. He was 88 years old. Catholics across the world mourn this great loss for the Church.
Actor David Henrie, known for his role as Justin Russo in Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” and its reboot, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” recalled a special memory of Pope Francis.
Henrie and his wife Maria announced the birth of their first child, Pia Philomena Francesca Henrie, on March 19, 2019. In this announcement, Henrie revealed the incredible story behind his photo with Pope Francis.
"I personally asked Pope Francis to pray for Maria and I to have a baby," Henrie wrote in March 2019. "He took our hands, held them together, said a special blessing, then looked up and told me not to worry–that a baby would be coming."
Now, six years later, following Pope Francis’ death, Henrie recalls this special moment he and Maria experienced.
The couple, who married in 2017, suffered three miscarriages before the birth of their first child, Pia (which makes her a rainbow baby). Pia was born nine months after Pope Francis' blessing. The couple now has three beautiful children.
Here’s David Henrie's post below:
Henrie’s post reads,
"May his soul rest in peace. After three miscarriages, we got to receive a special blessing from Pope Francis. Nine months later, our little Pia Francesca was born. 🙏🏼 I’ll forever be grateful for that moment. Let’s pray for the next pope!"
Read the full story about David Henrie’s photo with Pope Francis below:
“Today is a particularly special day for Maria and I… and it’s special because in order to get to where we are today, with the joy of our newborn in our arms, my wife and I went through trials.
“I felt compelled to share this because I had no clue just how difficult trying to start a family could be.
“See, Pia Philomena Francesca Henrie has brothers and sisters… Maria and I suffered three miscarriages before finally being able to carry Pia to full term.
“While it was insanely difficult recovering from miscarriage after miscarriage, we knew if we were ever going to be able to hold a baby of our own in our arms that we must not let the tragedy affect our marriage, but rather grow closer together!
“We stayed faithful to that conviction and had a little help from @franciscus.
“The reason Pia’s middle name is Francesca is because I personally asked Pope Francis to pray for Maria and I to have a baby.
“He took our hands, held them together, said a special blessing, then looked up and told me not to worry–that a baby would be coming – that was pretty much exactly nine months ago.
“For all those who are struggling, pray, hope, and don’t worry!! Always.”