13 hours on a plane may not sound like much fun for some people, but for Armando Sanchez of Brownsville, the long trip to Rome, Italy is a wish come true.
The 17-year-old was born with a condition known as Neurofibromatosis.
"Basically, I have all these tumors growing in my heart, and in my brain and along my body," Sanchez said.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with terminal illnesses.
Representatives said they worked on Armando's wish to visit the Vatican and meet Pope Benedict XVI, for about a year.
"I felt that it was more of a challenge to wish something like that,” said Sanchez. “More of a longer journey than to going to Hollywood or Disneyworld, so I wanted a little bit of adventure."
The teen’s parents also joined him on the trip. His mother fought back tears as she described the past 17 years with her son as a blessing.
She said she's hoping to come back from the Vatican with a miracle.
"He's proof that when you have faith, all is possible through God,” she said. “The past 17 years have been a miracle already, but yes, I’m going there with faith that all his tumors will be cured forever."
Sanchez said he too hopes for the best and is going to take full advantage of his trip to Italy, which could be a once in a lifetime adventure.
"Hopefully (I’ll learn) a lot of history, learn about Rome, the architecture (and) the paintings," he said.
Sanchez has been part of the Brownsville Fire Department’s Fire Explorers group, for several years.
Firefighters picked him up from his home in a fire truck, and drove him to the Valley International Airport to see him off.
They’ve also helped raise money for medical expenses and this trip.
Fire Chief Lenny Perez said that while the teen has been learning how to fight fires, they have learned so much more from him.
"(We’ve learned about) his determination and willingness to go above and beyond to help people,” Perez said. “And his smile…you never see him being down.”
Sanchez and his family said their faith has played a major role in their battle with his condition.
He’s hoping for a blessing from the Pope.
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