We understand that Catholics around the globe, and non-Catholics, mourn His Holiness Pope Francis’s passing. When we watched his Funeral on TV because, for health reasons, we were not able to attend, we realized how much he was loved by all strata of society worldwide. He was the true compass in a distraught world. But at His Excellency Dr. Ghoulem Berrah Foundation, it’s a personal loss; we feel like orphans. His Holiness was our Number one Supporter.
GRACE AND BLESSINGS
During my teenage years, I participated in Pope Saint John XXIII’s audience and later in Pope Paul VI’s audience at the Vatican, and I walked the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum, which was presided over by Pope Paul VI. I kept those precious experiences in my heart.
Then, when I married my beloved husband, Ambassador Ghoulem Berrah, a devout Muslim who had performed the Hajj several times, the significant pilgrimage to Mecca, it is noteworthy that his best friends were the Pope’s Nuncios. We had the extraordinary blessing of meeting with Pope Saint John Paul II six times. The teacher, the guide, the man of prayer, moved me deeply. His sober humor and acute thoughtfulness were unmatched.
He imprinted such an indelible mark on me that I had never imagined or conceived possible, that I could, at some point in my life, be touched by another Pope. My beloved Husband joined his maker March 4, 2011.
A SURPRISING AND TRANSFORMATIVE MOMENT
In June 2015, I heard that our dear friend and brother, Archbishop Justo
Mullor, former President of the Pontifical Academy and former advisor to Pope Saint John Paul II, who wrote the prologue of Husband’s memoir, A Dream For Peace, experienced a serious health issue, so I decided to fly to Rome and visit him. The memoir editor, a close friend of ours, Nana Yalley, wished to accompany me with his wife to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican.
I did not plan for that and didn’t think it was necessary. Nonetheless, to please them, I called the President of the Vatican, at that time Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, a thirty-year friend of my husband, and asked him if he could do me a favor and arrange something for us. I knew it was not the regular process, but time was short. He graciously agreed. We were in the middle of June, and the Pope’s agenda was complete before leaving for his summer retreat, Castel Gandolfo, by the end of June. However, he told me we could attend the last event and see him at the Vatican for the St. Peter and St. Paul Feast Celebration at St. Peter’s Basilica on June 29. The young couple was overjoyed.
Somewhat unexpectedly, I found myself profoundly touched upon seeing Pope Francis. Captured by his candid, humble, loving, and compassionate demeanor, it seemed he was speaking directly to my innermost self, offering a soothing balm to my soul.
Immediately, I recalled the metaphor he used to convince his mother that he didn’t want to be a regular physician but to study “medicine for the souls.” To me, it was not a metaphor; it was a reality.
He was the doctor of the souls
It was quite a powerful and transformative moment.
When he asked, as always, to pray for him, I committed to including him in my daily prayers. The Mass was so beautiful, Nana and his wife were in awe.
I expressed my feelings to Cardinal Bertello when we visited him at Palazzo del Governatorato. I promised to send him and Pope Francis a copy of my husband’s memoir as soon as it is published.
I spent a few more days in Rome with our brother and friend, Archbishop Justo Mullor, as his health gradually improved before returning to the United States.
THE SUPPORTER NUMBER ONE OF OUR FOUNDATION
In 2013, on the occasion of the end of Ramadan, Pope Francis’s first message to Muslims, elected just four months before, had a very revealing title: Promoting mutual respect between Christians and Muslims through Education.
“It is not possible to establish true links with God while ignoring other people. Hence, it is important to intensify dialogue among the various religions, and I am thinking particularly of dialogue between Islam and Christianity.”
Those words from Pope Francis’s message are the essence of Ambassador Ghoulem Berrah’s core beliefs.
When His Memoir was published in October 2018, I sent a copy to Pope Francis and Cardinal Bertello in December as a Christmas present. Upon receiving his copy and learning that my husband wrote his memoir with a charitable purpose to raise funds for our Foundation, which aims to promote interfaith harmony, particularly among teenagers, His Holiness appreciated the idea and embraced the project. He sent me a memorable and special blessing for the Foundation in January 2019.
“ From the Vatican, January 23, 2019”
…. “Wishing that wherever we may be, each of us will be an artisan of peace, Pope Francis assures you and your loved ones of his constant prayers, including those who work for the foundation created in memory of your husband. From all his heart, he imparts his blessing to each and every one of you and asks the Lord to guide you in your mission at the service of interreligious dialogue and peace.”
His blessing meant the world to me, our brand-new Foundation, and those working with me. We were not alone in that endeavor; Pope Francis was praying for us. We were headed in the right direction, no matter what obstacles could arise on our mission of peace and service to our human brothers with the help of the Almighty.
I responded that I was honored and humbled by his blessing and support, and I will work hard to provide him with an account of our work.
He was the first Supporter of our Foundation.
After each luncheon with the youth of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian faith, I sent him pictures along with comments. His Assessor, Monsignor Paolo Borgia, who now serves as Papal Nuncio to Lebanon, told me that Pope Francis was very pleased each time he received the pictures.
At His Excellency Dr. Ghoulem Berrah Foundation, we experience a profound sense of loss; however, we find solace in knowing he is now at peace after suffering a lot lately at the hospital. He illuminated our path through his unwavering dedication to his fellow human beings until his final moments. We express our deepest gratitude to His Holiness. Thank you, Pope Francis.