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Who was Francesca? Internet is devastated over death of Andrew Kaczynski and Rachel Louise Ensign's baby daughter

On Christmas Eve, Kaczynski had tweeted, 'if anyone can spare a pray for our Bean this Christmas, would just ask they include Francesca in their thoughts'

On Friday, December 25, Twitter was filled with mourning. CNN political reporter Andrew Kaczynski and his wife, Wall Street Journal banking reporter Rachel Louise Ensign, shared the news of the loss of their 9-month-old daughter Francesca, who died on Christmas Eve after a cancer battle. On Thursday, Christmas Eve, Kaczynski had tweeted, "If anyone can spare a pray for our Bean this Christmas, would just ask they include Francesca in their thoughts and hope for a Christmas miracle for our family." Hours later, he announced her passing.

Kaczynski shared the devastating news on Twitter. "We're heartbroken to have to announce our beautiful daughter Francesca passed away last night in the arms of her mom and dad," he tweeted. "There will always be a Bean-sized hole in our hearts for her. We're so grateful to have known her love. Francesca, we love you."

Kaczynski wrote an obituary for his daughter on Medium. The heartening piece said that Francesca Kaczynski, also known as Bean, Beanie, or Beans, died on December 24 of complications from cancer. The obit read: “In her short life, Francesca was an outgoing, bold and curious baby. She had huge, deep brown eyes that followed whatever her parents were doing. She loved eating and being held close, particularly in the evenings.”

He further wrote: “Everyone at Boston Children’s Hospital treated Francesca with remarkable love and kindness. Doctors and nurses would gasp with joy when they saw her smile as they entered her room. She adored music therapy and had some of her first big laughs playing with a balloon of Elmo, her favorite Sesame Street character, from the hospital gift shop during occupational therapy. On Halloween, she dressed up with her nurses in a homemade Pasta Fagioli costume.”

He added at the end of the obit that in lieu of flowers, food, or gifts of any kind, donations could be made in honor of Francesca to the PMC Winter Cycle charity event, which donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

In September, Kaczynski had announced that at six months, Francesca was diagnosed with an "extremely rare and very aggressive rhabdoid brain tumor." He had said back then, “We’re looking at any and all treatments right now, including experimental. Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.” He had added, “Our daughter is the strongest person I know and I am confident she will fight this as hard as she can. In the meantime, I’m gonna be off work for a few weeks while we get started on treatment. I just want to thank all our friends, strangers, and medical staff for their support.”

In the aftermath of this news, Twitter saw thousands of people, including many senior journalists, tweeting their grief. Journalist Mehdi Hasan said, “This is absolutely horrible and heartbreaking news. We all fell in love with Francesca. Andrew, so sorry for your family’s loss. So many thoughts and prayers and condolences headed your way.” One Twitter user said, “It is crushing news to hear about Francesca's passing today, and I hope if you're able to that you can donate in her honor and memory. I'm going to donate right now and I hope others can help raise some good money to help children going through cancer treatments.” CNN anchor Jake Tapper said, “Absolutely devastating,” sharing the news.

The Dana–Farber Cancer Institute is a comprehensive cancer treatment and research institution in Boston, Massachusetts, that according to its website, has led the world by making life-changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care, providing the most advanced treatments available, for over 70 years.