Bryan West

KPNX, Phoenix

PHOENIX -- "The Pope healed our baby's heart."

Lynn Cassidy has no other words to explain what happened to her 3-month-old daughter Ave. Ave was born with Down syndrome, eye problems and hearing complications. Most concerning were the two holes in her heart.

"It seems like it was really meant to happen," Lynn said. "And it's as close to a miracle as we'll ever see, I'm sure."

In Easter of 2014, the family planned a Rome trip to see Pope Francis in person during the canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII.

"It was raining," Lynn said. "We were told that if we stood on a barricade in St. Peter's Square, the metal fences in front, the Pope would come by in his 'Pope'-mobile."

The Cassidy family waited for hours at the barricade. When the motorcade turned into the square, Lynn's husband Scott held Ave up in the air.

"It was like the Lion King," Lynn said. "The secret service person, Johnny, stopped and took her from Scott and held her up to the Pope. The Pope asked my husband, 'How old is she? What's her name?' He told (the Pope) she has two holes in her heart. When we got home in May, we went back to the cardiologist for a check-up. One of the holes was completely closed and one was half the size."

A snapshot of the divine moment hangs on the family's wall. The Pope's hand over Ave's heart as he blessed the child. Lynn said the story may be incredible timing, but she believes it's divine intervention.

"I mean it's possible that it closes just over time," she said. "But when you see the picture that the professional photographer took, his hand is here and he's a servant of God."

Ave is happy and healthy at twenty months. She underwent two eye surgeries and also received two hearing aids. Her heart is healthy and her smile is contagious.

Phoenix family believes Pope's blessing saved baby's life

If Lynn ever gets the chance to meet the Pope Francis again, here's what she would say, "Thank you for spreading the word that all life is precious. Even life that seems like it might have struggles like hers. She is as precious as anyone else. We just thank you for spreading that message, because people need to hear that."