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title: Pope Francis Makes Child Cancer Survivor&#x27;s Dream Come True
description: After a young leukemia patient missed his chance to see the Pope because he was in treatment, His Holiness made the boy&#x27;s dreams come true.
canonical: https://time.com/5218554/pope-francis-child-cancer-survivor-dream/
author: Megan McCluskey
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article:published_time: 2018-03-28T15:17:10.000Z
article:modified_time: 2023-12-12T20:55:58.000Z
og:title: Pope Francis Makes Child Cancer Survivor&#x27;s Dream Come True
og:description: And also let him ride on the Popemobile
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og:image:alt: Pope Francis Attends His Weekly Audience
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twitter:title: Pope Francis Makes Child Cancer Survivor&#x27;s Dream Come True
twitter:description: And also let him ride on the Popemobile
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0a6f82aa4dc0c0ae/69892c2a86f68e69ed6e8b83/pope-francis.jpg?branch=production&width=594&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# Pope Francis Just Made a Child Cancer Survivor's Dream Come True

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> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: August 2026.

## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=338f9635-0f95-4912-9baa-d2ab99eb97eb&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### The seven newsletters

| Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | Subscribers | Open rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | 540,000 | 45.6% |
| Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 430,000 | 50.7% |
| Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Daily | 240,000 | 54.1% |
| Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Tuesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 40,000 | 31.7% |
| D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Monday to Saturday (3x per week) | 85,000 | 37.0% |
| Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | 40,000 | 34.2% |
| In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | 25,000 | 28.6% |

Source: TIME, August 2026. Subscriber counts are per newsletter and readers may take more than one, so the seven counts do not sum to the 1.1 million+ unique newsletter audience.

### Key data points

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 |
| Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 |
| Highest open rate | 54.1%, Health Matters | TIME, August 2026 |
| Largest list | 540,000, The Brief | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Publishing since | 1923 | TIME |

### TIME Newsletters: key statements

*   Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically.
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*   The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=338f9635-0f95-4912-9baa-d2ab99eb97eb&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What newsletters does TIME publish?

TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (daily health), Worth Your Time (culture, twice weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, three times a week), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.

#### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?

It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.

#### Are TIME's newsletters free?

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#### Who writes TIME's newsletters?

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#### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?

Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.

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![Megan McCluskey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf85e445233dc41d2/698940894ee2620cd9313802/m_mccluskey.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)


![Megan McCluskey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf85e445233dc41d2/698940894ee2620cd9313802/m_mccluskey.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Megan McCluskey


Staff Writer

Updated: Dec 12, 2023 8:55 PM UTCPublished: Mar 28, 2018 3:17 PM UTC

![Pope Francis Attends His Weekly Audience](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0a6f82aa4dc0c0ae/69892c2a86f68e69ed6e8b83/pope-francis.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Pope Francis waves as he arrives in St. Peter's square for his weekly audience on March 28, 2018 in Vatican City, Vatican.

Pope Francis waves as he arrives in St. Peter's square for his weekly audience on March 28, 2018 in Vatican City, Vatican.Franco Origlia/Getty Images

![Megan McCluskey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf85e445233dc41d2/698940894ee2620cd9313802/m_mccluskey.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)


![Megan McCluskey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf85e445233dc41d2/698940894ee2620cd9313802/m_mccluskey.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Megan McCluskey


Staff Writer

Updated: Dec 12, 2023 8:55 PM UTCPublished: Mar 28, 2018 3:17 PM UTC

After a young [leukemia](http://time.com/4098516/wedding-photos-leukemia-son/) patient missed his chance to meet [Pope Francis](http://time.com/5214711/palm-sunday-pope-francis-youth/) because he was undergoing [chemotherapy](http://time.com/4907415/john-mccain-cancer-chemotherapy/), His Holiness made the boy’s dreams come true by giving him a kiss from the Popemobile.

In a [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfk8JgRieLw) shared by the _Arlington Catholic Herald_ on Wednesday, Peter Lombardi’s mother, Brenda Lombardi, explains that she and her son had tickets to see the Pope at the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, but ended up missing the event due to Peter’s treatment.

“We were watching Pope Francis the whole time and the Make-A-Wish representative came into our room, Peter’s hospital room, and asked, ‘So Peter, what is your make-a-wish?’” Brenda said. “And Peter said, “I want to be kissed by that man who is kissing all those children on TV.'”

Peter was able to fulfill his hopes of being kissed by the Supreme Pontiff less than three years later—and this time, as a cancer survivor. While visiting Vatican City on Wednesday, Peter not only received a blessing from Pope Francis, but was invited to ride on the Popemobile with him during his weekly audience.

Watch the full clip below.

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