An Inspiring Audience With Pope Leo XIV
FAITH, CONNECTION & THE THREAD THAT LED HERE
Some moments feel connected long before you understand them. This trip to Rome with a private audience with His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican felt like part of a much longer path.
Reflecting on the people, places, and experiences in my life, it’s clear how connected everything really is. What once felt like separate chapters — my parish, my family, past travels, my beliefs — now feels like one continuous thread.
Meeting Pope Leo XIV as a devout Catholic was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. What made it more special were the personal connections: the first American Pope and his Villanova ties, close to my hometown of Gladwyne, Pa., where I attended St. John Vianney.
I was overcome with emotion. It felt totally surreal, and I couldn’t hold back tears – a deeply spiritual moment I’ll carry in my heart forever. My mom always said, “It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice.” His Holiness is exactly that. Genuine. Present. The Real Deal.
It was also a joy to share this journey with dear friends whose presence made the experience even more meaningful — from AJ and Sandy Mattia, Julius Nasso, Jr., and his mother, Meghan Hudock and her family, to Dr. Nick and Marilyn DePace, Gloria and Michael Esposito, and Paula Hartman.
THE AUSILIA FOUNDATION AT THE VATICAN
I’m deeply grateful to my friends AJ Mattia, Julius Nasso, Jr., Meghan Hudock, and the Ausilia Foundation for making this experience possible. It was especially meaningful to see AJ, Meghan, and Julius inducted onto the Foundation’s Board of Directors during its presentation at the Collegio Teutonico, led by Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi.
The foundation’s mission — expanding access to education for students without financial means — was described as a “virtuous thread that multiplies greatness,” connecting opportunity, purpose, and impact.
MOMENTS OF REFLECTION – I had the opportunity to read the second reading at Palm Sunday evening Mass at Basilica of Saint Sylvester the First (San Silvestro in Capite), an 8th-century church that remains an important place of worship in Rome.
MOMENTS OF CONNECTION – We gathered with friends — including Megan and her family, and Carmine Berardi — for dinner at the Corinthia Hotel in the heart of the Rome.
The days that followed allowed time to reflect and enjoy great company!
& Deputato XVILegislatura, and Marc Foti
A night at the piano bar at the Rome Cavalieri. Between the jazz notes, the candlelight, and the grand artwork, the city stretched out below me. It was an amazing close to the day, thinking about all I have had the opportunity to experience so far!
Stepping into history at Palazzo Borghese for lunch with Count Giovanni Bonmartini-Fini. (He really is a count, entrepreneur and winemaker who heads a centuries-old family legacy.)
THE THREAD THAT CONTINUES
I’ve been fortunate to meet presidents, prime ministers, CEOs, and global leaders. Years ago, I also traveled to Cuba, where I met Pope Francis during a pilgrimage centered on service and giving back. That experience shaped my approach to philanthropy. But this moment in Rome felt connected to all that came before it — an extension of the same path.
I’m grateful to the Ausilia Foundation and those who made this experience possible. Their mission is something I deeply believe in. I’m blessed to have the chance to give back — a purpose that has always guided me, whether volunteering with the Franciscan Sisters, mentoring young women business owners, or working on behalf of nonprofits like the Pascale Sykes Foundation. Throughout this journey, I was reminded why this work matters. Giving back has never been separate from my life; it has always been part of its foundation.
Stay tuned for my next visit to Rome, which will include a special dinner at the Sistine Chapel. I look forward to what lies ahead.
People have always asked why I hold up a peace sign in my photos. For me, it’s a reminder of intention: to bring peace in whatever way I can. As Pope Leo XIV said, “Peace is built in the heart and from the heart.” The world needs peace, maybe now more than ever, and I’m grateful to be part of that mission.
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