Zo’s Bravehearts brings three Las Vegas families to see Pope Leo XIV

A chance letter and an unexpected Vatican connection helped Zo’s Bravehearts Foundation secure an invitation for three Las Vegas girls battling childhood cancer and their mothers to attend a general audience with Pope Leo XIV. The visit included a personal greeting, blessed medals, a Vatican Grottoes tour and recognition from the Vatican newspaper.

Why it matters: - The visit gave three Las Vegas families facing childhood cancer a rare public moment of recognition and encouragement at the Vatican. - The trip also highlighted how community outreach can turn a personal appeal into direct support for families under stress.

What happened: - Zo’s Bravehearts Foundation returned from the Vatican after bringing three Las Vegas girls with childhood cancer and their mothers to a general audience with Pope Leo XIV. - The invitation followed a letter from founder and president Rino Armeni and an unexpected chain of connections in Italy. - The girls and their mothers were seated in the second row of a section reserved for special blessings in St. Peter’s Square. - Pope Leo XIV personally greeted the group after the audience. - The pope also held both hands of 13-year-old Mackenzie and told her, “You are so strong ... and you, my dear, are going to be okay.” - Zo’s Bravehearts Foundation was formally announced among the groups in attendance. - The girls received blessed Miraculous Medals depicting Mary.

The details: - Armeni traveled to Italy with four and a half days, no direct Vatican connection and a goal of delivering a letter to the pope. - A friend in Turin connected Armeni with the pope’s driver and assistant. - Armeni wrote about the foundation and the families it serves. - The friend took a train to Rome and delivered the letter to the driver, who helped pass it to Vatican officials. - Armeni later received an email inviting three children supported by the foundation, known as Bravehearts, and their mothers to attend the audience. - The Vegas Golden Knights and Las Vegas Raiders provided signed jerseys for the girls to present to the pope. - Autumn and her mother, Alexandria, presented the Golden Knights jersey. - Theodora and her mother, Tristan, presented the Raiders jersey. - Monica Olivares, the foundation’s director of family services, carried a sign reading “Las Vegas Loves You, Pope Leo XIV.” - The sign was inspired by the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. - The sign also featured a photo of Jocelyn, a Braveheart who could not travel because of her health. - After the audience, the group received a private guided tour of the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. - The tour was led by the pope’s driver, the same person who helped Armeni’s letter reach Vatican officials. - The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, listed “Zo’s Bravehearts Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada” among the groups in attendance. - Michelle Shores, Mackenzie’s mother, called the visit “a once-in-10-lifetimes experience.” - Olivares described the trip as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” - Zo’s Bravehearts Foundation says it supports families facing childhood cancer through tailored services that ease everyday burdens and experiences that create opportunities for connection, joy and time together. - More information is available at the foundation’s website.

Between the lines: - The trip showed how a small nonprofit can leverage persistence, personal networks and public symbolism to elevate families who are often focused on medical routines and daily logistics. - The Las Vegas jerseys, the city-themed sign and the represented photo of Jocelyn turned the Vatican appearance into both a faith experience and a hometown statement. - The Vatican recognition added legitimacy and visibility to Zo’s Bravehearts Foundation’s mission beyond the immediate emotional impact on the families.

What's next: - Zo’s Bravehearts Foundation is expected to continue supporting families of children battling cancer through home restoration, meals, transportation support, comfort essentials and personalized family care. - The foundation is also likely to use the Vatican visit as a visibility boost for future outreach and community support. - More information is available at the foundation’s website.