Abdallah family invited to the Vatican to attend the World Meeting of Families

Two years after losing daughters Sienna and Angelina and son Antony to a drunk and drugged driver, the Abdallah family’s message of forgiveness is being taken to the world.

Their horrific tragedy broke the hearts of Australia.

Now Leila and Danny Abdallah have been asked to share their power of forgiveness with the world.

In a remarkable acknowledgment of their strength and resilience, the Abdallah family are headed to the Vatican, where they will relive their devastating story with Pope Francis, in Rome next month.

Two years after losing daughters Sienna, 8, and Angelina, 12, and son Antony, 13, and the children’s cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, to a drunk and drugged driver who killed them,
the Abdallahs plan to extend their courage to the world.

The Abdallahs have been invited to the World Meeting of Families in Rome on June 22.

The Abdallah family — Leila, Alex, Liana, baby Selina, Danny and Michael — have been invited to The Vatican to meet the Pope. Picture: Richard Dobson

They plan to further promote the foundation they launched in the wake of the tragedy, i4Give, and their other children, Liana, 12, Alex, 7, Michael, 6 and Selina, three-months, will also make the trip.

Describing it as a “powerful gift”, the inspirational family will be gripped by added emotion, celebrating what would’ve been Antony’s 16th birthday in Rome.

“It’s a dream come true to go to the Vatican because I grew up with my faith,’’ Leila said.

“I’m so excited to share the message of i4Give with the world.

“It is our opportunity to share our story with the Vatican, the Pope and the rest of the world.

“I know how much us forgiving has impacted Sydney, which then spread across our country and then to people around the world.”

Antony Abdallah (far right), Angelina Abdallah (right) and sister Sienna Abdallah (middle) with their mum and siblings. Picture: Supplied

The Abdallahs’ cousin, 11-year-old Veronique Sakr. Picture: Supplied

“People are reaching out to us with their own stories of forgiveness.

“Sharing my story has helped me a lot in my grieving process. A lot of people have lost their loved ones, who are not only from Australia, but from different parts of the world, have reached out and asked: ‘Leila, how did you get through it, what advice can you give me?’.

“People have been opening up their hearts to us … It’s been good to be able to help others amid our pain.

“Everything that happens, still feels so surreal.

“My kids, Antony and Sienna, are alive in their spirit and I feel them every day.”

“It’s not a coincidence that we will be at the Vatican on what would’ve been Antony’s 16th birthday.

Leila and Danny Abdallah with the newest member of the family Selina. Picture: Richard Dobson

Danny added: “We carry a heavy heart every day, but you could say
this has given us a glimmer of light.

“Doing this, sharing our story about our beautiful kids, both the ones that are here and the ones that are in heaven, it’s a humbling
experience. We will go and share the message of the i4Give foundation that we have created and the message of forgiveness.”

The extraordinary couple was nominated to attend the Vatican by Bishop

Maronite Bishop of Australia Antoine-Charbel Tarabay.

“Their story and their journey following the tragic death of three of their children in 2020 has had a revolutionary impact, reviving the value of forgiveness in family life and the broader, in Australian society,” Bishop Tarabay said.

“At this stage in our lives, forgiveness must feature prominently in our lives, we must all play a role in restoring it. Taking part in the World Meeting of Families will – I hope – provide the Abdallahs with a chance to speak about their journey and their i4Give Day initiative on a global stage.”

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