By Katie Vasquez
The Krupp’s Long Island home is filled with photos and memories of their many trips to Vatican city.
But Gary and Meredith are not Catholic, they are Jewish. They are also the founders of “Pave the Way Foundation,” a nonprofit that helps bring different faiths together.
“We don’t deal with theology. We deal with the practical aspects,” said Gary Krupp.
Not many people can say the pope is a personal friend, and the loss of Pope Francis was devastating for the pair.
“It was very, very sad. and it’s the third time it’s happened to me. These people, I know three of them,” said Gary Krupp.
“He loved the people and he loved the children. and, it was always one of our pleasures to be able to meet him and shake his hand,” said Meredith Krupp.
In fact, they are the only Jewish couple in the history of the Catholic Church to be knighted by the pope.
“He actually knighted me, which makes me the first Jewish woman in history to be knighted by the pope to a particular order. And I am very blessed about that,” said Meredith Krupp.
“Only the pope can do this, and the fact that Meredith received this was extremely wonderful,” said Gary Krupp.
They still have a piece of the Holy Father in their home.
“There’s a tradition where if you buy a new zucchetto, the skullcap for the pope, at the ecclesiastic store,” said Meredith Krupp, “I greeted him, handed him this new one. He took it… took off what he was wearing, gave that one to me, and he put mine on.”
The Krupps’ visited Rome recently, but weren’t able to meet with Pope Francis because he was sick.
Now they are mourning like the rest of the world.
“He was a very, sweet, kind man,” said Gary. “It’s always been very special; it’s a blessing for us.
“He cared. He cared for the people. And it’s going to be a loss for the Church,” said Meredith.