BY Ian Dunn | April 28 | 
0 COMMENTS 
print
Archbishop pays tribute to woman whose dying wish he helped realise
ARCHBISHOP Leo Cushley has paid tribute to Corinne Barber, who with his help achieved her dying wish to meet Pope Francis. She died last week at the age of 43.
“I’m very saddened to learn of the death of Corinne and will keep both her and her family in my prayers—may she rest in peace,” the Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh said.
Corinne Barber, of Leith, suffered from a congenital heart disorder. In 2015 she was told by doctors that her life expectancy was only 5-12 months. Immediately, her family decided to raise money to help Corinne fulfil her ‘lifelong dream’ of visiting the Vatican.
Support quickly followed, including that of Archbishop Cushley, who arranged for Corinne to meet Pope Francis. The archbishop also covered her travel insurance.
Corinne finally met Pope Francis on December 2, 2016, in St Peter’s Square, where she received the Holy Father’s personal blessing (left).
On her return she said: “I feel more energised and focused than I have done in years. The experience has been beautiful and extremely emotional.
“I have had the honour of seeing the Sistine Chapel and the Apostolic Palace, and been brought to tears visiting the chambers under the Basilica and seeing the bones of St Peter.
“But of course the highlight was receiving the blessing from Pope Francis.”
Corinne died in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Easter Monday, surrounded by family including her husband Andrew, her mother Irene and her brother Darren.
RSS Feeds