Pope Francis’s blessing on boy with cerebral palsy ​helps raise $114,000

Pope Francis kisses and blesses Michael Keating after arriving in Philadelphia on 26 September 2015. Photograph: Joseph Gidjunis/AP

The family of Michael Keating – the 10-year-old boy with cerebral palsy Pope Francis blessed in Philadelphia last month – has raised more than $114,000 through crowdfunding for his care.

Keating’s family and friends said the money will go towards “a new handicap accessible vehicle and any other expenses for Michael’s care”.

A new vehicle has been on the family’s “wish list for years”, according to the donations page. Their current vehicle, donated by a family friend, does not have a working ramp and has a myriad of other maintenance issues.

Michael’s mother, Kristin Keating, has had two hernia surgeries because of the strain from lifting her 70-pound son, according to the Washington Post. Relatives had urged her to set up a donations page following the pope’s visit.

“We really had to be talked into it,” Kristin told the Washington Post. “We took this on. It’s not everybody’s responsibility to care for Michael.”

On 26 September, as the pope drove slowly by the crowds at the airport in Philadelphia, his car stopped before Michael and his family. The pontiff approached the barricades, leaned over, and kissed the boy on the forehead before grasping both his mother and father’s hands.

“I just feel like it’s someone else who is going to pray and watch over Michael,” Kristin told NBC following the pope’s blessing. “It’s someone who’s a little closer to God maybe who is putting in a good word to look out for Michael.”

Now, the family has seen hundreds of strangers step up to help watch over Michael. They have received more than 900 donations on their crowdfunding page, with an average donation of $120. Hollywood director JJ Abrams and his wife, Katie McGrath, even pledged $50,000 to the cause. Abrams, the director of the upcoming Star Wars movie, told the Washington Post that he and his wife donated because they “were moved by the Keating family’s grace, strength and commitment to each other”.

Donations have continued to pour in, some from anonymous sources, others with messages of support. “Thanks for inspiring us all!” one message reads. “Sometimes good people should be rewarded,” says another.