A sick little boy who has been waiting for a new heart has been told a donor has been found - just hours after Melania Trump visited him in hospital.

The first lady had visited Vatican-affiliated Bambin Gesù (Baby Jesus) Hospital in Rome following an audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday.

The 47-year-old had read to the young Greek boy, who has been waiting for a heart transplant, holding his hand in the Intensive Care Unit while camera shutters snapped.

Melania Trump tweeted her joy after learning that a sick little boy who she visited in hospital on Wednesday, pictured with him, had finally found a heart donor just hours later

The first lady hugged the young boy in need of a heart transplant at the hospital on Wednesday

Hours later she learned that doctors had found a donor organ for the child

Melania also spent time in prayer at the hospital chapel and laid flowers at the feet of a statue of the Madonna.

It appears the almighty may have heard her.

She released a statement later that day saying her 'heart was filled with joy' after learning the hospital had since found a donor for the boy.

'Upon landing in Belgium, I learned a young boy and his family who had been waiting for a heart transplant was informed that the hospital has found a donor,' she said in a statement.

'I read a book and held hands with this special little one just a few hours ago, and now my own heart is filled with joy over this news.'

Mrs. Trump spent part of the afternoon coloring with the kids and praised their 'positive spirit despite illness'

Message: This was the message of support left by Melania for the children

Melania prayed in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary on Wednesday at the Bambin Gesù children's hospital in Rome

Mrs. Trump also prayed in the hospital's chapel on Wednesday

The first lady later tweeted about the development with the hashtags '#Blessings' and '#Faith.'

Trump's spokesman Stephanie Grisham said the visit had been 'very emotional' for Melania who had spoken Italian with the children.

The first lady, who speaks several other languages besides English and her native Slovenian including German, French, Italian and Serbo-Croatian, had personally written to the Pope personally ahead of her arrival in Rome to request a visit to the hospital.

'She spoke to them in Italian, she signed bandages and she took lots of selfies,' Grisham added.

She had then met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, before going to Bambin Gesù, where she told him that she was looking forward to going to the hospital 'for the bambinos.' She later called the visit 'very moving.'

'To spend time speaking to and coloring with children who have such a positive spirit despite illness was an amazing gift,' she said.

'The time I spent with the little ones in the Intensive Care Unit is something I will never forget, and I will pray for each of them daily.'

In another tweet, she sent 'blessings to all' after her Papal audience.

Trump has now flown to Brussels, Belgium, where she will attend spousal programs at the NATO and G-7 summits.