By Andy Barnett

When LaShawn received the keys to her new home in 2014, it marked more than the end of a long, uncertain journey. It sparked a mission to help families across the U.S. and in Haiti—offering not just a place to live, but dignity, hope, and a strong sense of community. 

LaShawn and her three children had been living in unsafe and overcrowded housing, even though she worked full-time. Like many in Buncombe County, she couldn’t afford a safe, stable home. When she was accepted into Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity’s program, she worked hundreds of hours alongside volunteers to help build her own house. She became the proud owner of the very first Pope Francis House. 

This mission began with a phone call to Habitat’s Executive Director at the time, Lew Kraus. A local donor, inspired by Pope Francis’ message of compassion and service, wanted to build a Habitat house in the Pope’s honor.  

That one house soon turned into many funded by this donor across the U.S. and in Haiti. Over two and half years, Pope Francis Houses were built by 58 Habitat affiliates. From coast to coast, in cities like Raleigh, Boston, Milwaukee, Portland, and Atlanta, partnerships were established to raise local funds and, more importantly, to engage students to put their faith into action– many from local colleges and universities. “What made this such a life-changing mission for me,” the donor said, “was the partnership with so many young Habitat for Humanity volunteers who partnered on this mission to bring hope and housing and follow in Pope Francis’ mission to those in need”.  

Each home made the goal of this mission clear: “To honor Pope Francis for his commitment to social justice & reinvigorating the Catholic Church; to provide a unifying, celebratory opportunity for both Catholic and non-Catholic volunteers to work towards a common goal (as Pope Francis says, ‘Work confers dignity’); and to further Habitat’s mission of building and preserving homes.” 

At the dedication of a new Pope Francis House in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Cardinal Seán O’Malley said, “This shows what can happen when the community comes together, works together, and shares a common goal.” One of the new homeowners added, “It’s a day of victory. We’re so thankful for the community, the donors, and the volunteers. We’re very excited.” 

The Pope Francis House initiative reflects a key message from Pope Francis in his letter Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel): “The Gospel tells us constantly to run the risk of a face-to-face encounter with others… with their pain and their pleas.”  Habitat for Humanity’s model—bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope—is an incredible way to live out our faith in tangible acts of love as co-workers with those excluded from economic prosperity.  

Through the generosity of one family and the efforts of thousands of volunteers, the Pope Francis Houses have shown what’s possible when faith, compassion, and partnership come together. 

“When I think of Pope Francis, I think of his care for those most at risk,” the donor said. “For me, the only way to say thank you to Pope Francis is to try to reflect on and work towards the goals embodied in the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi” — to be made an instrument of God’s peace and compassion. 

Each Pope Francis House makes love tangible and gives hope a strong foundation. They are a fitting memorial for a Pope who called us all to be “an instrument of God for the liberation of the poor enabling them to be fully a part of society.”