02/22/2026
Meet: Chiara Corbella Petrillo!
Chiara story is one of unwavering love and joy despite trials of hardships. She was an Italian public speaker and mother who is know for her faith amidst the battle of cancer.
She was born January 9th, 1984. Born in Rome, Italy. She had a peaceful demeanor and wanted to bring light and joy to those around her. She married her husband, Enrico Petrillo, September, 21 2008. After her honeymoon, Chiara discovered she was pregnant ❤️ However an ultrasound showed a severe malformation of the baby. The baby’s name was Maria Grazia Letizia - she was diagnosed with anencephaly. Despite this news, Chiara and Enrico loved their first child and carried the child with love, care, and faith in God. She was born June 10 2009 and died less than an hour and half after her birth. This was tremendously difficult for the new parents; however, the pain did not cause Chiara and Enrico to despair. Rather, it place deeper trust in God and they were grateful for the time they had with their beloved daughter.
A few months later, Chiara was pregnant again! ❤️ This time it was a little boy, Davide Giovanni. However, he was also diagnosed with severe malformation to critical organs and was missing his legs. But Chiara and Enrico saw the child as a blessing and he was born June 24th 2010, however he died not to long after he was born as well.
Chiara says in her own words “In our marriage, the Lord gave us two special children: Maria Grazia Letizia and Davide Giovanni, but He asked us to accompany them only until birth. He gave us the opportunity to embrace them, have them baptized, and entrust them into the hands of the Father, all with a peace and joy that we have never experienced before.”
Later on Chiara was pregnant with a third child! - Francesco. A week after the ultrasound Chiara was discovered with a mass on her tongue and doctors underwent the first phase of surgery to remove it. The second phase they needed to wait until Francesco was born. The tumor was discovered to later be cancerous. Chiara delayed the surgery in order to protect Francesco in her womb. She said “I did not have any intentions to put his life at risk.” Francesco was born completely healthy!
This picture of Chiara smiling with her eye patch is quite extraordinary which was taken a few days after she learn to be a terminal patient. She carried on with strength, love for her family, and trust in the Lord.
Her testimony is a beautiful testament to mothers who are also carrying difficult pregnancies and to parents who have lost a child. She shows that there is still beauty in the pain and that to be thankful for every moment.
You can listen to her own words here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gbHpCJ8AfUY&pp=0gcJCUABo7VqN5tD
