Pope Leo XIV stops to bless a pair of RCA babies during popemobile tour

Pope Leo XIV blesses John Francis Solanus Casey and Thérèse Azélie Giard during the popemobile tour before his inaugural Mass.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV paused his popemobile procession before his inaugural Mass on May 18, 2025, to bless two infants from American families connected to Regina Caeli Academy (RCA), creating a touching moment before an estimated 150,000 pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.

The spontaneous blessing occurred when the pontiff noticed babies John Francis Solanus Casey and Thérèse Azélie Giard being held by their parents along the popemobile route. The moment drew emotional responses from onlookers as the Holy Father made the sign of the cross over each child and created an unforgettable moment for the Casey and Giard families.

The Casey Family's Calling

Jonathan and Rebecca Casey felt a sudden calling to travel to Rome with their children for the papal inaugural Mass. "We felt called to fly to Rome with all the children for the inaugural Mass of the new pope at the last minute," Rebecca Casey explained. "We also hoped that we might have the opportunity for the Pope to bless them."

Security brings John Francis Solanus Casey to Pope Leo XIV for a blessing. Photo courtesy of Jonathan and Rebecca Casey.

The decision came after watching a post-conclave interview where Cardinal Dolan from New York invited viewers to attend the inaugural Mass. "We felt really like the invitation was to us also," she recalled. "So we booked this trip and set out on it in less than a week."

In the days leading up to the Mass, the family encountered both a religious sister and a priest who offered valuable advice about positioning themselves to meet the Pope as he traveled through St. Peter's Square.

The Giard Family Joins

Thérèse Azélie Giard with Pope Leo XIV. Photo: Getty Images

The Caseys extended their invitation to Aaron and Diana Giard, along with their baby Thérèse Azélie Giard. The Giard family, who have five children and have been part of the Regina Caeli Academy community since 2021, couldn't resist the opportunity.

"We were invited by the Caseys to fly to Rome with them and attend the inaugural Mass so that, it was hoped, our babies could be blessed by Pope Leo," Diana Giard explained. "We could not turn down the invitation!"

A Providential Encounter

The blessing wasn't orchestrated through official channels. The families arrived early at 7:00 am to secure prime positions along the popemobile route. "The blessing was not 'planned' in the sense that we talked to people who knew how to get him to stop and bless our babies," Diana Giard noted. "We just got there early and got a great spot on the edge of the popemobile route."

When the Pope's vehicle approached, guards noticed the families with their infants. "They noticed us, and a guard stopped the car, and we handed them the babies," Diana recalled. The Casey infant became the first baby to be publicly greeted by Pope Leo XIV, followed by baby Thérèse.

Lasting Impact

Both families feel a special connection to America's first pope. "We have felt the Holy Spirit leading our hearts with love for our church and our new pope over these past couple of weeks," Rebecca Casey said. "We feel a strong affinity for him being American, and also a connection to pray for him in a more specific way than we have felt before. We hope he can unite our church, all Christians, and inspire many to turn to Jesus."

Diana Giard echoed similar sentiments: "We can sense a deep humility and prayerfulness and love in our new Pope and pray that he is delivered from all harm and helped through the grace of God to bring greater unity to the Church and glory to God."

Both families viewed their Roman pilgrimage as evidence of divine providence. "This whole trip has been filled with God's providential care and blessings," Diana reflected.

Aaron and Diana Giard have five children enrolled at Regina Caeli Academy's Northern Massachusetts center, where they have been part of the community since Spring 2021. Their youngest, Thérèse Azélie, is currently enrolled in the center's nursery program. Diana serves as an upper school tutor, working with students in grades 7-12 at the Northern Massachusetts location.

Jonathan and Rebecca Casey started with Regina Caeli Academy in 2020 at the Boston center, but had to discontinue their children's enrollment when they relocated to Florida. Despite relocating, the Caseys have maintained strong ties with Regina Caeli Academy and have become instrumental in its expansion efforts. They played a key role in establishing the Northern Massachusetts center before their move to Florida, and are now collaborating with RCA's expansion team to open new centers in the future.