5 most uplifting stories of the week

Tips factor into this week's list more than once, but in very different ways:

1. After guy steals their tips, workers decide to help him: When a man stole money from the tip jar at an Ohio coffee bar, the employees didn't react how you might expect: They didn't contact police, but they did start a food drive for the man.

2. Mystery 'TipsforJesus' diner drops $54K in huge tips: Someone is going around the country leaving humongous tips at restaurants under the moniker "TipsForJesus," and by one estimate, the total is up to $54,000. Think tips like $1,000 on a $152 tab—you can see pictures of the receipts on Instagram.

3. Pope may be sneaking out at night to help poor: This will only help Francis' reputation as everyone's favorite pope: It seems that the pontiff is ducking out of the Vatican at night dressed as a priest to minister to Rome's homeless.

4. Miracle cat found in rubble of burned shelter: A Kentucky animal shelter burned to the ground last Friday with 60 animals inside, about half of whom died in the blaze — but nearly a week later, a miracle shows up in the form of Freckles, a 1-year-old cat.

5. Boy, 5, gets his dream: to be a police officer: Morgan Steward is confined to a wheelchair, but that wasn't nearly enough to keep the 5-year-old from his dream: He's always wanted to be a police officer, and this week, he was made an honorary one in Covington, Ga. The mayor even administered the oath.

For more uplifting news, visit Newser, a Paste BN content partner providing general news, commentary and coverage from around the Web. Its content is produced independently of Paste BN.