The beatification process for the Servant of God Chiara Corbella (1984-2012) officially entered its “Roman phase” on June 21, 2024. While Chiara's reputation for holiness has spread widely in recent years, it was already well established during her lifetime.
She faced several trials with remarkable faith. After losing her first two children shortly after birth, she became pregnant a third time and was simultaneously diagnosed with cancer. Having refused certain treatments in order to protect the life of her child, she gave birth to a baby boy in May 2011. She died a year later, at the age of 28, leaving behind a true testimony of love and self-giving.
While the final months of her life are well known, the years of her youth remain relatively unknown. Aleteia met with Valentina Regoli, her childhood friend, who was present during both the most important and the lightest and most carefree moments of her life.
Meeting at a youth group for prayer
Aleteia: Valentina, can you tell us how you met Chiara?
Valentina Regoli: I met Chiara in 1994. I was at Monte Calvario middle school in Rome, in the same class as her sister Elisa. Chiara, who was three years younger, was in elementary school with my sister.
One day, after a healing Mass I attended with my mother, I got to know Elisa better. Shortly afterwards, she invited me to a youth prayer group in the “Heart of Jesus” community. I was 13 years old. Every Saturday afternoon, Elisa, Chiara, my sister, a boy who played the guitar, and I would meet to pray.
Many people said they felt something special when the five of us prayed together. After the meetings, we’d spend the afternoon in the center of Rome, just having fun. We grew up like that, always very close.
Chiara was a radiant peacemaker
What was Chiara like as a child and then as a young girl? What was her personality like?
Regoli: Chiara was like sunshine. She was always smiling and welcoming. She was also very funny and loved to joke around. But she never said anything bad about anyone. Even when someone behaved badly, she always tried to understand and justify them. She didn't create tension; she always sought peace. She didn't impose herself on others; she was a simple, quiet, radiant girl, naturally beautiful.
What always struck me was her fidelity to prayer. We were very close friends and often called each other. When I called her at home, sometimes her mother would tell me that Chiara and her sister couldn't answer because they were praying.
Even though I came from a Christian family, I was very impressed to see that they devoted time to prayer during the day. For me, it was a bit unusual. There wasn't a day when she didn't pray; it was a fundamental part of her life. For Chiara, that time was a priority. I believe it was this deep relationship with the Lord that made her the person she became.
Did she have any faults?
Regoli: Of course, she had a few little flaws. We even argued and, at one point, we drifted apart a little when she started dating Enrico. She was very focused on him, and we felt a little left out. But the beautiful thing about Chiara was that she knew how to make peace; she always sought dialogue and reconciliation.
Travelling together
Do you have any memorable moments to share?
Regoli: There are so many! We shared a lot, including a wonderful trip to New York with my sister, her sister Elisa, Chiara, and their parents. My parents didn't usually let me go anywhere, but they trusted Chiara and Elisa. The beautiful thing was that they traveled a lot; their father had always taught them to be free, curious, and to travel, and Chiara was a child with that mentality.
When we went to New York, it was in 2001, shortly before the Twin Towers collapsed. We were really carefree, laughing and joking like crazy little girls. We visited the city, and I remember feeding chips to the seagulls near the Statue of Liberty. I also remember that our hotel room was flooded and I kept sleeping without realizing it. We laughed about it for days.
I also remember that when we arrived, their father surprised us with a limousine at the airport. We screamed with joy like crazy girls. It was a wonderful trip.
Were you also present during the pilgrimage to Medjugorje that she made with her family and friends towards the end of her life?
Regoli: Yes, I was there. We all went there to pray for her, for her recovery. But once we were there, she was the one who led us to Mary, who introduced us to her. With Chiara, it was always like that: We thought we were there to give her something, but we received so much more.
Accepting the cross without rebelling
How did she deal with her illness?
Regoli: Chiara accepted it without rebelling. There was suffering, of course, because she had a husband and a little boy whom she had wanted so much. But she felt that this was where she had to be, that she was called by God to this.
I don't think I could’ve reacted as she did; I might’ve felt like a young girl who wasn't being listened to. But she accepted this cross without rebelling, perhaps precisely because of her deep relationship with the Lord and her intense prayer.
It wasn't always easy. Her mother couldn't come to terms with it and continued to hope for a miracle. Of course, no parent wants to see their child suffer. But one day, Chiara sighed, as if to say, “Enough; don't you understand that I'm going to die?” She had accepted it. She said that just because you are a child of God doesn’t mean you’re spared suffering. The difference is how you deal with it. And she dealt with it with faith, without rebellion, like Jesus.
Do you still talk to her, pray to her?
Regoli: I always pray to her. I feel her with me. I was incredibly lucky to grow up with her, from the age of 13. It was a pure, sincere friendship. Even Enrico, her husband, said that the four of us were protected because we were always together.
I think it's fundamental — for young people today, too — to find true friends with whom you can grow in goodness and beauty, to protect yourself. When friendship is authentic, Christ is already there. Eternity is already there.
