Unbound Families Welcome Pope Francis To Philippines
Kansas City, Kan. (PRWEB) January 13, 2015 -- When Pope Francis arrives in Manila, Philippines, on Jan. 15 for a five-day visit, the leader of the Roman Catholic faith will receive a joyous welcome from millions of people who see him as a powerful advocate for the poor.
Unbound, an international humanitarian organization based in Kansas City, Kan., serves more than 46,000 families in the Philippines as they work to create paths out of poverty.
Unbound has local coordinators as well as U.S.-based staff on hand to work with families and members of the media for the duration of Pope Francis’ visit.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to take part in this historic event with the Filipino people and Pope Francis, and to accompany the families served by Unbound as they welcome the Pope to the Philippines,” said Loretta Kline, managing editor at Unbound’s Kansas City headquarters.
Kline will accompany at least 800 Unbound families as they walk approximately 3 kilometers together from San Sebastian Basilica, the historic steel church of the Philippines, to Luneta Park, the site of the closing Mass on Jan. 18, where millions are expected to gather.
Francis will also visit areas ravaged by typhoons in the past two years. Many families served by Unbound were affected by these storms.
“At Unbound, we build relationships in which people accompany each other through life’s struggles,” Kline said. “That’s exactly what the Pope is doing.”
Unbound serves people of many faiths, including those who live in the southern area of Zamboanga, Philippines. Unbound families and staff are hopeful that Francis will encourage a full and workable peace in the region, with reconciliation and cooperation between Christians, Muslims, and native peoples.
“The words and actions of the Pope connect deeply with the work of Unbound in the Philippines,” said Paco Wertin, Unbound director of church relations. “He embodies Unbound values and gives a voice to the voiceless.”
A seminarian sponsored through Unbound's vocation program will be present at the Pope's arrival at Villamoor Airbase.
Unbound staff and families are available for interviews during the Pope’s visit. Unbound communications liaison in the Philippines, Tristan John Cabrera, will be part of the credentialed media covering events.
Unbound is the largest nonprofit in Kansas with more than $120 million in annual revenue. Unbound works side by side with people of diverse faith traditions in 21 countries, bringing people together to challenge poverty in new and innovative ways.
Unbound distributes direct aid as quickly and efficiently as possible to people who need it. More than 93 percent of Unbound's expenses go toward program support.
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Erica Braker, Unbound, http://www.unbound.org, +1 913-384-7187, [email protected]
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