Yesterday, a nine-year-old boy received blessings from the Pope, after he wrote a letter to him asking him to take his cancer away.

Pope Benedict showered his blessings on Anton McManus, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, subsequent to his Glasgow Mass.

Anton was four years old when he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his spine. The boy had to go in for chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had to undergo two surgeries, when his neck cracked.

Though the boy goes to school and plays with his pals, he is frightened that the cancer will come back. So, when he came to know that the Pope is coming to Scotland, the kid decided to write to the Vatican and ask for his help.

Anton wrote to the Pontiff that he was really sick but is now a little bit fine. However, he is not able to do a number of things that his peers do.

He said, “I am writing this letter to ask if you could bless me when you come to Glasgow to help keep my cancer away as I think if anyone could help, God can”.

Following the open air mass at Bellahouston Park, the Pontiff came down from the stage, and took a halt to meet Anton and give his blessings to him.