Bruno Guidolin and daughter Yvette with a photo of them meeting Pope John Paul II. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Newly appointed Pope Leo XIV is going to meet Griffith man Bruno Guidolin, he just doesn’t know it yet.
The 85-year-old founder of farming equipment business Guidolin Agrimac has already told two previous pontiffs about Griffith and is determined to do the same with the first American head of the Catholic Church.
“I’m making arrangements to see him, it’s going to happen,” Mr Guidolin said.
Helped by what he called divine intervention, the devout Catholic had face-to-face conversations with Pope John Paul II in 1984 and Pope Francis in 2019.
Blessed by Pope John Paul II
Bruno held out a “Sydney, Australia” sign to attract the Pope. Photo: Supplied.
“When I went to see Pope John Paul II in Rome, we didn’t even have tickets,” Mr Guidolin said.
“But there was a miracle. We saw a Spanish nun saying ‘billetes’ (tickets), she had two that she gave to my daughter Yvette and me.”
While the passes from the nun got the pair into the hall, there were still thousands of people in front of them, requiring Mr Guidolin to think outside the box to get up close.
“I walked three-quarters of the way and pretended my shoelaces were undone. As soon as the man in front of me went for his next step I got up and snuck in front of him. I know it was wrong but there was no other way.
“I eventually got to the front row and thought, what am I going to do to attract him? So I wrote ‘Sydney, Australia’ on the back of my ticket so he’d notice me. That’s when he came to me and said, ‘God bless you, you have come so far away’… he kissed Yvette [then aged 11] on the forehead and blessed her.”
Pope Francis given slippers from Griffith
Bruno bearing gifts for Pope Francis. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Guidolin’s ability to get up close and personal with popes is helped by the fact he was born and raised in the northern Italian town of Riese, which is famous for producing Pope Pius X, who headed the Catholic Church between 1903 and 1914.
“I was a promoter of the pope back in my home town and I still am today,” he said.
In 2019, during the trip to Italy, fate helped him meet Pope Francis.
“We had a trip around Italy that finished on 11 June. The next day, the Pope visited near where I was staying,” he said.
”I gave him a book on the history of Griffith from the council and an invitation to our parish Sacred Heart’s 100th anniversary from our priest, Father Grace.”
While the Pope was unable to make it to Griffith, he was impressed by another gift.
“I bought a koala bear from the Griffith Visitors Centre but I fell in love with it myself, so I thought I should get the Pope something else. So I brought him a pair of slippers made from sheep wool from the Griffith store Kendells … I’ve seen footage of him wearing them.
“I also got to tell him about Griffith, that we are a town made up of Italian immigrants. He listened intently.”
Next Guidolin-papal meeting
American Robert Francis Prevost became the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter earlier this month and is now known as Leo XIV.
Mr Guidolin, who still works and cycles at age 85, says watch this space.
“I’ve got connections from my home town and I’ve started investigating. I’ve got a big banner that I’m going to do with my town’s name and everything … I will get to meet him, I’ll let you know when it’s organised.”
