United States: Pope Francis’ Surprise Telephone Call
‘The Most Beautiful Glimmer of
Hope of my Life’
To express his condolences, Pope
Francis called personally the son of a friend of his youth, Mario Verna, who
died of Parkinson’s disease on December 3, 2018, in New Jersey.
“We are at the age when we begin
to be called back (to God),” said the Pope in Spanish, during his one-minute
telephone call, and he added that he would pray for the deceased during his
next Mass.
This is what Dr. Verna’s son,
Matthias, 49, a child psychiatrist in Scarsdale, New York, said to the journal
“Today” on December 11, 2018.
Dr. Verna’s three sons had
always heard their father say that he had a close friendship with Jorge
Bergoglio, future Pope Francis, since his adolescence. Mario Verna and Jorge
Bergoglio met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a Catholic Action group.
Therefore, on December 4,
Matthias Verna faxed a letter to the Vatican in Spanish, giving his contact
details and informing the Holy Father of his father’s death.
Less than 24 hours later, when
Matthias was alone, driving his car, he received a phone call from an “unknown
caller.” It was Pope Francis.
“I recognized his voice
immediately and I said: ‘Oh, my word!” recalled Matthias. ”While I spoke
with him, he was very natural, very human and very calm.”
Pope Francis said to Matthias
that he certainly remembered El Flaco (the “Thin” one), Dr.
Verna’s nickname in his youth.
“As soon as I hung up, I felt my
legs turn to rubber. Then I began to cry. It was overwhelming,” continued
Matthias.
“My father was known for his
hospitality and his ability to engage with all who passed by the door. He was
also known for his surprises. For us, this tribute was his last little
surprise,” added Matthias.
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