L‘unexpected encounter after the greatest pain. Cathryn White Cooper, wife of Gianluca Vialli, and the couple’s daughters, Olivia and Sofia, met Pope Francis. the family offormer footballer, died on 6 January last year after the battle against pancreatic cancer, he participated in the general audience on February 8, meeting the Pope. And, precisely with him, the girls of the house shared their father’s great desire.
Farewell to Gianluca Vialli
In mid-December, Gianluca Vialli announced a stop: he was leaving his role as head of delegation of the national football team. «I have to help my body overcome this disease” He said. The situation, however, escalated quickly. And on January 6, the football champion left us: he lost his battle against cancer. A battle always told openly and with sincerity. Had been in fact, it was he who called Fedez, even though he did not know him, to encourage him the day before surgery for the same disease.
The meeting of the family with the pope
A month later, the football champion’s wife and two daughters met the Pope Vatican Newsinformation portal of the Holy See, Cathryn White Cooper, Olivia and Sofia they were in the Paul VI Hall. Gianluca Vialli’s brothers and grandchildren were also with them. An exciting encounter in which the protagonists were Olivia and Sofia. What they told Pope Francis Vialli’s greatest wish: to accompany them to the altar. Papa Gianluca had also chosen the church for the wedding of the daughters: the sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Hope in Grumello Cremonese, place dear to the former footballer and close to his birthplace. Before the Pontiff, then, the family reaffirmed their commitment to carry forward the testimony of Gianluca Vialli and his love for life despite his illness. Finally, Cathryn, Olivia and Sofia gave the Pope a shirt of the Italian national football team.
Fedez’s tribute to Sanremo
And while the Vialli family met the Pope a year after the farewell to the football ace, Fedez reminded him San Remo 2023. During the second evening of the Festival, the rapper performed on the Costa ship. And, among his words, there was no mention of Gianluca Vialli. “I had cancer and like a real tough guy I went on TV and cried. When I think of who gave me strength, I look up: it is the memory of Gianluca that I bring to the stage». In fact, Fedez is also well aware of pancreatic cancer for which he underwent surgery last March. “I will never forget the comfort and strength that Gianluca Vialli gave me during his illness,” the singer said some time ago, recalling that phone call between the two the day before the surgery. «It gave me a strength that no one has been able to give me».
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