On a hot August day in 2003, a five year old Jack Sebest found himself enjoying a swim at a pool party in Hubbard. 

However, what started out as a day of celebration came dangerously close to being the last day of Sebest's life.

"I slipped and fell as I should've been getting out of the pool," Sebest said. "I was under for approximately fourteen minutes and when they pulled me out I was blue and they pretty much pronounced me dead on the scene," he said.

Sebest was immediately rushed to the hospital where just days later, doctors were shocked to see what could only be described as a miracle.

"I woke up perfectly fine during the consecration on the feast day of the oblate sisters," Sebest said."They found no medical explanation. The doctors themselves were moved to tears, they had to step out of the room they found no reason why I should be here and with no problems," he said.

Sebest attributes the miracle to fervent prayers from Blessed Mother Maria Teresa Casini.

Twelve years would go by, during which time numerous tests were conducted on Sebest to find how this miracle came to be, but to no avail.

This experience caused Sebest to meet Pope Francis through a beatification process.

"You can just tell love and humility radiates off of him. It was very touching," Sebest said. "I was flabbergasted I got to meet him with my mom next to me, she was immediately brought to tears," he said.

As the world prepares to say farewell to the pontiff, Sebest wants to remember, with a smile.

"It is an important time to mourn and really think  about the good that he's done. I don't know him on a very personal level but if I were to imagine, I think Pope

Francis would've wanted us all to celebrate life rather than be sad about it," Sebest said. "He really brought back a sense of humility and realness to such a powerful position that we almost forgot what that could be like," he said.

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will hold a special mass in memory of Pope Francis Thursday at 7 p.m. at Saint Columba Cathedral.