Pope Leo XIV recognizes Rhode Island infant recovery as official miracle

The Vatican has formally recognized a 2007 medical case in Rhode Island as a miracle, marking a major step forward in the canonization process for a 19th-century Spanish priest.

Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, signed the official decree on June 20. The case involves a premature infant—identified only as “Tyquan”—born at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket, who was not expected to survive. The child had gone 65 minutes without taking a breath and showed no signs of improvement.

According to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the attending physician, a Spanish doctor devoted to Father Salvador Valera Parra, prayed for the priest’s intercession. Shortly after, the infant’s heart began to beat without any medical explanation.

“The fact that the baby had stopped breathing, he had not taken a breath for 65 minutes, and they kept working on him. That really kind of played out in my mind when I thought about it,” said Rev. Timothy Reilly. “They all point to the fact that this could not be explained. Something outside this world is responsible for his healing.”

The Diocese of Providence welcomed the Vatican’s decision. “The miracle at the former Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket in 2007 is a reminder of the power of prayer and the intercession of holy men and women. God is indeed close to us,” the diocese said in a statement. “We are thrilled that this recognition will move the cause of beatification and canonization forward for Venerable Servant of God Salvador Valera Parra.”

The incident was first reported by GoLocalProv. The case had been under review by Vatican officials for several years before receiving official recognition.