Local Teen Cancer Survivor Granted Wish to Meet Pope in Rome

Make-A-Wish New Mexico celebrates 40 years of granting wishes by surprising 16-year-old Bella Solis with a trip to the Vatican.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:33am

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Make-A-Wish New Mexico celebrated its 40th anniversary by unveiling a new 'Wish Wall' and granting an unforgettable surprise to 16-year-old Bella Solis, a local teen who has spent the past year battling a rare form of cancer. Bella's wish to meet the Pope in Rome will be fulfilled in May, just months after she was declared cancer-free.

Why it matters

Bella's story highlights the important work of Make-A-Wish New Mexico, which has granted hundreds of wishes to children fighting critical illnesses over the past four decades. Her journey also underscores the power of faith and resilience in the face of adversity, as Bella leaned on her Catholic beliefs during her cancer treatment.

The details

After being diagnosed with the rare Sertoli-Leydig cell cancer, Bella underwent an aggressive treatment plan that included 8 rounds of chemotherapy. Throughout her battle, Bella and her family became part of the Make-A-Wish New Mexico community. When Bella expressed her wish to meet the Pope in Rome, the organization worked to make it a reality, reaching out to a family friend who knew the Pope. To Bella and her parents' surprise, the Pope agreed to the meeting, scheduled for May 27th.

  • Bella was officially declared cancer-free in January 2026.
  • Bella and her family will travel to Rome in May 2026 to meet the Pope.

The players

Isabella 'Bella' Solis

A 16-year-old local teen who has spent the past year battling a rare form of cancer called Sertoli-Leydig cell cancer.

Miguel Solis

Bella's father, who works as a firefighter alongside the Albuquerque Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo.

Jenna Solis

Bella's mother.

Sara Lister

The president and CEO of Make-A-Wish New Mexico.

Pope Leo

The Pope that Bella will meet during her trip to the Vatican.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't really know what cancer it was. I had a 14-pound tumor on my pelvis.”

— Isabella 'Bella' Solis

“It was a long journey. It was very hard, stressful.”

— Miguel Solis, Bella's father

“When we met with Bella, she talked about wanting to go to the Vatican and to meet the Pope. It was just, like, put out there as an idea. It was kind of 50/50.”

— Bella Solis

“We had our faith through this whole journey. Being able to meet someone who was with us through this journey — it's emotional. She's so strong and resilient. She's such a huge blessing.”

— Jenna Solis, Bella's mother

“The best outcome possible happened. She's good. Healthy.”

— Miguel Solis, Bella's father

What’s next

Bella and her family will travel to Rome on May 27th, 2026 to meet Pope Leo.

The takeaway

Bella's story is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and the life-changing work of organizations like Make-A-Wish New Mexico. Her journey from a cancer diagnosis to meeting the Pope in Rome underscores the importance of granting wishes to children fighting critical illnesses and the profound impact it can have on their lives.