pope francis Archives - The Bittersweet Life

Episode 574: Twelve Years a Pope

Mar 3, 2025

Just over 12 years ago, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis in the conclave of 2013. And Tiffany was in St. Peter’s Square when it happened. She saw the white smoke pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, she heard those famous words...

The Bittersweet Life

Life doesn’t have a script. At least, it doesn’t have to. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the challenges and joys of moving abroad and moving home. Whether you’re living overseas, or not — or not yet — join us weekly for unadulterated conversation. Get to know Rome. Laugh at our embarrassments and insights. Most of all, imagine the possibilities for your own life (and meet some famous authors along the way).

Today we’re joined by Katy’s sisters, Dana and Sara, to chat about what’s on the horizon for Dana, considering her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer last year.

As always, Dana shares inspiring words of hope and fortitude, proving that a terminal cancer diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean an instant end to a happy and rich life.

They also attempt to address the question: would you want to know how much time you have left? For most of us, this is abstract question we’ll never have to face. But Dana has a unique perspective on this.

She also considers what exactly she wants her life to look like at the very end, and the benefits of stopping the fight sooner in order to enjoy a peaceful closing with the people she loves, in the places she loves.

And also, since a celebration of life (which Dana has opted for instead of a memorial) is about LIFE, hear about Dana’s plans to attend her own, while she is still alive.

***To help katy’s sister Dana and her family with the staggering medical costs of her stage 4 agressive brain cancer—her specialist is outside her insurance network—as well of the costs of temporarily relocating to San Francsico for her treatments, please consider donating to her GoFundMe. Anything you can contribute will be extremely helpful. Thank you.***

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