Old Brookville Resident Meets The Pope

Jennifer Corr

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

In January, Richard Bellofatto of Old Brookville met Pope Francis at The Vatican.

Bellofatto is a life insurance and financial security consultant, and he has an office in Roslyn.

The way he met Pope Francis, according to Bellofatto’s father Anthony, was from a Jewish friend, who supports an organization in Israel that works to maintain rela- tions with other religions. Part of their work is going to The Vatican periodically. When the organization was set to go in January, a member got sick, so there was an open spot available, which was offered to Bellofatto.

Bellofatto enjoyed meeting Pope Francis. With Argentina, where Pope Francis is from, winning The World Cup, Bellofatto joked that the Pope must’ve prayed for the Argentinian team. Pope Francis laughed and said it wouldn’t be fair to give Argentina an advantage. Pope Francis was also curious about Bellofatto’s education, which consisted of St. Mary’s in Manhasset, Georgetown University and Fordham University. Pope Francis said he was happy he got a Catholic education.