A young New Jersey girl fighting cancer — a stage 4 neuroblastoma — had one wish: To meet Pope Francis. So when her request reached the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Gracie West soon found herself in St. Peter’s Square with her brother Joe during the pope’s weekly audience Wednesday.

After being escorted into the exclusive area where people can meet the pope personally, Gracie was nearly pushed aside by an over-zealous adult holding a big painting he wanted to give to the pope. But her big brother held his ground; Francis looked at her shaved head and sallow skin, cupped her face in his hands, and tenderly kissed her on the head.

Gracie was overwhelmed. “It’s just going to make my faith stronger,” she told CBS News. “It’s going to help me more. I feel like it’s going to help me through stuff more.”

Read the complete story at cbsnews.com.