Elisabet Argemí, a nurse from Barcelona, shared a personal moment with Pope Leo XIV outside the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo. The brief encounter allowed her to deliver a book titled Learning to Die in Order to Live, which documents the life and testimony of her brother, Xavier Argemí.
Xavier lived with muscular dystrophy and passed away last year at the age of 29. Despite his physical challenges, Elisabet describes her brother as a man who valued connection and love above his diagnosis. She recalls that his life found profound meaning through his relationships with others, a perspective he maintained until his final days.
The exchange at Castel Gandolfo was unexpected. As the Pope traveled from the palace, he stopped his vehicle to speak with Elisabet. She presented the book with a personal dedication, an action she had hoped to complete during the Pope's visit to Spain in June. She noted that the Pope listened with attention and affection during their short meeting.
Elisabet believes her brother’s story holds relevance for many people today. By focusing on the capacity to love rather than the limitations of illness, she hopes to keep his legacy active. She views this practice as a way to follow the call to lift one's eyes, a theme she connected to the Pope's recent teachings during his apostolic journey.
For Elisabet, the experience serves as a reminder that human existence is defined by the ability to give and receive care. Through the book, she seeks to share the conviction that life remains significant even in the face of hardship. This encounter brought a personal testimony directly to the Vatican.