Rhode Island Baby's Birth A Miracle, Pope Leo XIV Declares

The survival of a child whose heartbeat was undetectable after he was born prematurely in Rhode Island was a miracle, Pope Leo XIV declared.

The child, named Tyquan, was born Jan. 14., 2007, at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island in Pawtucket, according to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

"The baby was born prematurely with symptoms of secondary apnea, cyanotic, breathless, and with a slow heart rate," the dicastery said. "One hour after birth, he showed no signs of improvement, so much so that doctors could not detect a heartbeat."

The doctor then turned to Salvador Valera Parra, a 19th century Spanish priest, the dicastery said.

"In that moment of extreme urgency, the attending physician invoked Salvador Valera Parra, his fellow countryman, for whom he had sincere devotion, and, in a spontaneous prayer, asked for his intercession for the child's salvation," the dicastery said. "Shortly thereafter, the newborn, without any external intervention, recovered his heartbeat and began to revive."

The baby went on to speak at 18 months and walk at 2 years, according to the dicastery, which said, "Little Tyquan continued to grow like a normal child, leading a regular life and participating in sports."

Pope Leo, the first American pope, declared the child's recovery June 20.