The 3 years old kissed by Pope Francis beats brain tumour

A baby girl kissed on the head by Pope Francis has amazingly defied the odds and beaten a brain tumour after being given just months to live. Gianna Masciantonio was just a year old when the pope blessed her as he travelled through the streets of Philadelphia in September 2015. The 81-year-old pontiff had no idea thet baby had a brain tumour when she was held up to his Popemobile as it passed by. Gianna's family has revealed almost three years on that the tumour has disappeared after she underwent chemotherapy. Now aged three, Gianna had been diagnosed with Histiocytosis, a blood disorder that occurs when there is an over-production of white blood cells called histiocytes. The disorder formed the tumour in the girl's head. She had surgery when she was just four-months-old, and doctors didn't think she would make it to her first birthday. Gianna's mum Kristen Masciantonio said: “She’s doing great. She’s going to attend preschool this fall. She’s so excited." Her parents have donated $50,000 to the hospital that saved baby life. The money came from their foundation called For the Love of Grace, which borrows their daughter's middle name. Dr Amish Shah, a paediatric neuro-oncologist, said Gianna had defied the odds by winning her battle.