Community Mourns Lombard Vineyard Worker Who Supplied Pope

The parish church of **Beato Andrea** could not contain the crowd that came to pay their last respects to **Bepi Fraccaroli**, who died from an incurable illness at the age of 76, after a life spent in his farmstead of **Berra Vecchia** cultivating his **Lugana**, the wine served at the Pope’s table.

Memorial and Community Participation

Representing the community’s condolences was Mayor **Umberto Chincarini** with the delegate assessor **Carlo Nosè**. There were three concelebrants: the parish priest **Tarcisio Soldà**, the emeritus parish priest of **Malcesine** **Nicola Azzali**, a family friend, and Father **Leo** of the Franciscan friars from the **Madonna del Frassino** convent.

It was Father Leo himself who commented on the Gospel, highlighting certain aspects of Fraccaroli’s humble and hardworking life. Yesterday, the yard in front of Fraccaroli’s house was filled with people. Countless telegrams also arrived for the family. The most important one was not missing, sent from the Vatican.

The Connection with the Pope and Father Leo’s Message

The vineyard worker of the **Pope** “left a true mark among the people. His kindness and generosity. His humility and his moderate, modest style, as a father and friend,” was stated in the homily. “All of this fits perfectly within the great Franciscan context. And Bepi embodied all this as a way of life, in his family, in his work, and for his homeland.”

The imprisonment in **Germany** during the war, hunger, and beatings were the motivation for Bepi to consider everyone he met during his active life as a brother in need. His help and generosity were never lacking. This is demonstrated by the great participation in his funeral services.”