Heartfelt Meetings Between Priest Gianluca Loperfido and Pope Francis

Bree (Eurotoday) – Gianluca Loperfido, a priest serving the communities of Bree and Bocholt in the Flemish province of Limburg, Belgium, will fondly remember Pope Francis as “a man full of joy.” Loperfido had the unique opportunity to meet the pontiff on seven separate occasions, including a final encounter just days before the Pope was hospitalized.

Recounting his meetings, Priest Loperfido expressed deep admiration for Pope Francis, characterising him as a beacon of positivity and compassion. Their last interaction left a particularly strong impression, as it occurred shortly before the Pope’s health rapidly declined.

“I thanked him for his visit to Belgium, but I did not expect his health to deteriorate so quickly,”

Loperfido shared.

Their first meeting was marked by a heartfelt discussion on pressing global issues such as poverty and the refugee crisis, during which the Pope exhibited extraordinary warmth.

“He smiled and embraced me—I felt his enormous warmth,”

Loperfido recalled. On their second visit, the Pope beamed with joy as the priest performed “Marina” by Rocco Granata—an emotional moment for both.

The Pope’s passing has struck the priest deeply.

“I couldn’t believe it at first, but I was really in shock. I knew that his health was bad, because I saw him the week before he was admitted to the hospital. I thanked him for his visit to Belgium. But I didn’t expect his health to deteriorate so quickly. We are all very sad.”

Still, Loperfido expressed more than sorrow—he also emphasized his immense gratitude.

“I also feel enormous gratitude that I was able to know him and that I met him a number of times. He shook us all awake and he showed us reality. He was committed to the poor, the vulnerable, the refugees and also to nature. He was very attentive to the problems of all people and he wanted to care for the world.”

“He fought for peace with enormous sobriety,”

The priest continued.

“He was a simple man who cared about all people. For example, he brought up the wars every Sunday and asked for prayers for all victims. He even acknowledged the evil in the Church and took time for all victims of sexual abuse. He really wanted to fight against all the evil in the world.”

A new Pope will soon be selected to succeed him.

“Only the Holy Spirit knows who that will be. It will be a surprise for everyone anyway, but I am curious about who it will be. But Pope Francis will always be in my heart,”

Loperfido concluded.

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