Archdiocese & Habitat For Humanity To Build Home In Honor Of Pope Francis

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Archdiocese of Miami and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami have teamed up Saturday morning to begin construction of a Liberty City home in honor of Pope Francis.

Construction kicked off at 10 a.m. with Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino blessing the volunteers and ground where the home is being built, located at 1817 NW 45th St.

The home is being built for Kiondra Ross, a single mother of three.

Ross will complete her "sweat equity" hours alongside the a dozen volunteers recruited by the Archdiocese as they engage in carpentry, wall raising and blocking.

"We are delighted to enter into this partnership with the Archdiocese," said Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami CEO Mario Artecona. "Not only will this home be a blessing to the Ross family, but it will allow us to heed Pope Francis' message of putting our faith into action."

The construction is funded by the Archdiocese of Miami, which matched an anonymous out-of-state donation dollar for dollar.  The volunteer built home will be constructed over the course of 12 Saturdays and will be completed prior to Christmas.

The act of building the home pays honor to Pope Francis "for his commitment to social justice and reinvigorating the Catholic Church."

Pope Francis will begin his first United States visit later this month.

Also in preparation of Pope Francis's visit to Cuba, the participants in the 'Pilgrimage to Cuba' attending a meeting at the Archdiocese Saturday morning.

They were asked to bring bags full of medicine that will be distributed in Cuba to the people of Cuba once they arrive. They are also getting rosaries to give away.