Ann and Joe Brennan were blessed to be received on two occasions by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. At the first Audience, as the Holy Father greeted Ann and Joe, Ann humbly said, "Holy Father, we love you and pray for you each and every day." Pope Benedict smiled and looked directly into Ann's eyes and said, "Ann, please repeat those warm words to me again." Ann immediately responded.
     The Pontiff then turned to Joe, who bowed and kissed the Pope's ring containing a relic of Saint Peter. Joe quietly said, "Your Holiness, my wife, Ann, our family, and I do remember you in prayer each day. Ann and I were blessed to form this collaboration with Cor Unum. Holy Father, Ann and I request your Apostolic Blessing for our American contributors who share one heart for the poorest of the poor through their spirituality, acts of kindness, and financial assistance for your mission at Cor Unum." The Holy Father smiled, blessed the work of Ann and Joe, and conveyed his personal appreciation for God's use of their lives to help the suffering poor throughout the world.
     During the second Audience, Joe and Ann presented a giclée - "The Holy Masterpiece," painted by the world-renowned artist, Mr. Ralph Wolfe Cowan - to the Pontiff. This work of art is a portrait of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, which was accepted by Pope Benedict, who then blessed the gift and conveyed his personal appreciation to Mr. Cowan. The Holy Father bestowed his Apostolic Blessing on Joe, Ann, and their family.