WA personalities Twiggy, Galati ‘privileged' to meet Pope
As the world comes to terms with the death of Pope Francis, some high-profile WA people lucky enough to meet the Pontiff recalled their encounters with the religious leader.
Mining magnate Andrew Forrest met the Pope in March 2014 and said he left behind a legacy as one of history's most powerful voices influencing the abolition of modern slavery.
'His unrelenting leadership in the fight against modern slavery will pave the way for those who come after him as we strive to stamp out this most wicked form of abuse of our fellow humans. For this, I am eternally grateful,' he said in a statement via the Mindaroo Foundation.
'Indeed, Pope Francis further broke the mould with his clear and unequivocal stance on the science of climate change, viewing it as a moral issue and repeatedly calling for urgent action from world leaders. It would have been far easier for His Holiness not to take up this fight – a fight that will prove to be humanity's greatest – but he was a man of courage and character.'
Spud king Tony Galati met the Pope during a visit to the Vatican in October last year, where he got to shake his hand and say hello.
The Spudshed boss wanted to meet the Catholic leader on behalf of his mother, who was 'really religious' and sadly passed away five years ago.
'It was quite an experience to see because he was very sick. I wasn't too sure he was going to come out, but he made the effort. And it was just amazing to see this man talk to everybody and acknowledge everybody,' he told ABC Radio. Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest shakes hands with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Credit: GB / AP
'It was just amazing to be in his presence.
'I looked up and said, 'I did it for you, Mum'.'
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas, who travelled to the Vatican in May last year for a global energy and climate summit, felt privileged to meet the Pope.
'I will always remember his soft hands, warm smile and his acknowledgement of Perth and the long distance I had travelled to be there,' Mr Zempilas said. Basil Zempilas meeting Pope Francis/ Credit: Basil Zempilas / Supplied
'He had an amazing aura. It's a brief meeting I will forever remember.'
And no stranger to the Pope's 'good sense of humour' is Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costello who has met him at least five times, most recently in October last year.
'When he speaks to you, you can see that he's interested in what you're saying,' he said.
'He's strong but gentle and has a great sense of humour, so there are some really, really good memories for me.'
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