Catholic influencer's 5-year-old son dies after contracting flu

A Catholic influencer said Thursday that his 5-year-old son died from a severe case of the flu

A Catholic influencer said Thursday that his 5-year-old son died from a severe case of the flu.

Paul Kim, who posts videos about his Catholic faith and has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram, said in a video on Instagram that his son, Micah, died on New Year’s Eve after “fighting 11 long, hard days.” Previously, Kim said on Instagram that his son was hospitalized after contracting a severe case of the flu.

“We are so proud of him. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, as his dad, on behalf of my family, for all the ways you guys prayed and lifted us up during this time,” Kim said in the video. “This incredibly difficult, impossible time for our family. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my life, and it continues to be.”

On Dec. 21, Kim posted on Instagram that his son was heading to the hospital in an ambulance after “having a medical emergency.” The next day, he posted an update on Instagram saying Micah was on life support and asked for prayers.

In an update on Dec. 30, Kim said his son had a severe case of the flu, which caused the child to go septic and experience seizures.