Pope Leo XIV has confirmed the first miracle of his papacy: the unexplained revival of a newborn in Rhode Island whose heart had stopped beating. Now, the doctor who had declared the infant dead is speaking publicly about the extraordinary event and the desperate prayer he offered moments before the child came back to life.
The incident took place on January 14, 2007, at the now-closed Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. A baby named Tyquan Hall was delivered via emergency C-section under dire conditions. According to the Diocese of Almería, the newborn showed severe signs of oxygen deprivation—his skin was pale, he was cyanotic, and he had an extremely weak pulse. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, Tyquan’s heart stopped after nearly an hour of attempted resuscitation.
A Prayer in Desperation
Dr. Juan Sánchez-Esteban, a physician originally from Almería, Spain, had the heartbreaking task of declaring Tyquan dead. In a last act of desperation, he turned to prayer—invoking the name of Father Salvador Valera Parra, a 19th-century Spanish priest known for his compassion during a cholera epidemic. Fr. Valera had been declared “Venerable” by Pope Francis in 2021, but had never been associated with a miracle—until now.
Dr. Sánchez-Esteban recounted in an interview with Vida Nueva, a Spanish Catholic publication, that he quietly repeated a childhood prayer taught by his parents: “Father Valera, I’ve done all I can. Now it’s your turn.”
An Astonishing Turn
As the doctor left to inform the baby’s family of the death, a nurse ran after him with shocking news: Tyquan had started breathing again. According to the Diocese of Almería, within minutes of the prayer, the child’s heartbeat resumed naturally.
What’s more remarkable is that, despite the prolonged lack of oxygen, Tyquan grew up without any of the developmental impairments doctors had anticipated. There was no trace of brain damage or physical disability.
Recognition from the Vatican
The Diocese of Providence confirmed that something beyond scientific explanation had taken place. Rev. Timothy Reilly, Chancellor of the diocese, told local outlet WPRI, “The baby had not taken a breath for 65 minutes, and they kept working. That’s what really stuck with me. It defies explanation.”
In a historic move, Pope Leo XIV officially recognized the event as a miracle—the first Vatican-sanctioned miracle in Rhode Island. This declaration advances Fr. Valera Parra’s cause for sainthood, as canonization requires the confirmation of two miracles.
On July 18, the Diocese of Providence announced the Vatican’s decision and celebrated the development. Reilly, who helped the Diocese of Almería investigate the case beginning in 2014, described the event as a powerful testimony to the strength of faith and prayer. “God is close to us,” he said, calling it “wonderful news” for Valera Parra’s beatification process.
Doctor’s Reflection
Dr. Sánchez-Esteban, now bound by patient privacy laws, issued a carefully worded statement. Without referencing Tyquan directly, he said, “As a doctor, I witness life’s fragility and resilience daily. I understand the Vatican’s recent recognition brings meaning and comfort to many.” He added, “We are proud to be part of stories that inspire hope and will always provide care rooted in compassion and respect for every person’s beliefs.”
Whether one views it as a miracle or a medical mystery, the event at Memorial Hospital now holds a permanent place in Catholic history—thanks to Pope Leo XIV’s declaration and the unwavering faith of a doctor in a moment of hopelessness.