Michael Keating, who became widely known after a memorable interaction with Pope Francis in 2015, has died at the age of 21.

In 2015, during his inaugural visit to the United States, Pope Francis made an unexpected stop at the Philadelphia airport. As he was leaving the tarmac in his black Fiat, he noticed someone in the crowd who caught his attention.

Keating soon became a symbol of that visit when the pope chose to speak with him directly, an encounter that captured the media’s attention. This poignant moment stood out amid the excitement of his trip.

The news of Keating’s passing has brought this moment back into the spotlight, reminding many of the joy and wonder that filled the streets of Philadelphia during the papal visit. Friends and family remember him fondly and acknowledge the impact he had at such a young age.