The family of a boy with cerebral palsy who Pope Francis stopped to bless during his recent visit to the United States has received more than $100,000 in support from a crowdfunding campaign.

Kristin Keating, center, stands by her son Michael, 10, after Pope Francis stopped to bless him on the airport tarmac in Philadelphia in September. Michael has cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. (Charles Fox/Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

Michael Keating, 10, made national news last month when the pope abruptly emerged from his car on a Philadelphia airport tarmac in order to meet him.

Subsequently, Keating’s parents told The Washington Post that they reluctantly set up a crowdfunding campaign at the urging of family members in an effort to pay for a new accessible van since the one they have does not have a working lift.

Keating’s mother, Kristin, said lifting her 70-pound son has resulted in two hernia surgeries.

To date, the campaign has raised over $112,000, including $50,000 contributed by Hollywood director J.J. Abrams and his wife who told the Post they were “moved by the Keating family’s grace, strength and commitment to each other.”

Abrams is directing the upcoming “Star Wars” film.

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