In a moving gesture of compassion and solidarity, Pope Francis blessed the keys that symbolize the houses in the 13 countries that are part of the Famvin Homeless Alliance (FHA) 13 Houses Jubilee Project. This special initiative, which aligns with the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” seeks to bring relief to families suffering from homelessness around the world, guided by the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul.
During the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis blessed the 30cm long bronze keys, sculpted by renowned Catholic artist Timothy Schmalz, as a symbolic gesture of the Church’s commitment to combating homelessness around the world.
Walking together to end homelessness
The FHA Jubilee “13 Houses” Project is a powerful response that understands homelessness as a humanitarian crisis, and is also the way to respond to the call made by Pope Francis in the Bull of Indiction of the Holy Year to “be tangible signs of hope for so many brothers and sisters who live in conditions of hardship.”
The project will promote housing solutions in 13 countries around the world. This effort will run through November 2025, impacting families in Syria, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, the United Kingdom and Ukraine.
Pope Francis recalls the Scriptures, “The prayer of the poor rises to God” (cf. Sir 21:5), in his message for the World Day of the Poor 2024, explaining that this day is “a pastoral opportunity that should not be underestimated, because it encourages all believers to listen to the prayer of the poor, becoming aware of their presence and their need.”
Since 2018, the 13 Houses Campaign has provided shelter and assistance to more than 10,000 people in 70 countries around the world. The goal of the project during the Jubilee Year is to encourage even more countries and communities around the world to get involved.
In recent years, the FHA has been actively promoting this campaign, which was first endorsed by Pope Francis in 2022 with the blessing of the sculpture “Sheltering”, a work by Timothy Schmalz.
The “13 Houses” Project for the Jubilee is driven with a dedicated focus on Syria, a country deeply affected by an ongoing civil war. Adopted by the Holy See as a concrete gesture of charity desired by Pope Francis for the Jubilee, the initiative addresses the needs of homeless Syrian families, drawing global attention to the persistent crisis affecting countless lives. This extraordinary act of solidarity has been made possible thanks to the generous contribution of UnipolSai, whose support in the run-up to the Holy Year brings a vital sign of hope to a region still scarred by war.
On World Day of the Poor in 2025, FHA plans to bring families representing each of the thirteen countries to St. Peter’s Basilica, where they will receive a special blessing from Pope Francis. One family from each country will participate in a pilgrimage to Rome, underscoring the global reach of the Vincentian Family’s mission to support the most vulnerable.
Pope Francis blessed the 30cm long bronze keys, sculpted by renowned Catholic artist Timothy Schmalz.
Walking together, united in mission
The “13 Houses” Jubilee Project represents the collaborative spirit of the Vincentian Family, a network of over 160 organizations around the world, united in the mission and spirit of St. Vincent de Paul.
Father Tomaž Mavrič, C.M., Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and President of the Vincentian Family Executive Board, described the initiative as: “a path of hope that reaffirms our commitment to fight homelessness around the world.” Before launching the campaign, the Vincentian Family met in Rome from November 14 to 17 to reinforce the spirit of synodality. This meeting focused on strengthening collaboration and fraternal ties among Vincentian groups. “By walking alongside those most in need, we bear witness to a future rooted in hope and shared commitment. For this Jubilee, we are called to be ‘pilgrims of hope’, showing the world that by walking together, we can transform lives and build a legacy of compassion and service for generations to come,” added Fr Tomaž.
FHA Coordinator and President of Depaul International, Mark McGreevy, said: “Pope Francis’ blessing of the keys is a milestone in our mission to reach out to the most vulnerable and spread the message of hope and charity that the Church promotes. By focusing on housing, we respond to a fundamental need, embodying the call of the Jubilee.”
United for a Jubilee of Hope
Reflecting on this year’s World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis highlighted the enduring spiritual and social importance of recognising the poor among us: “The truly poor are the humble (…) The poor, having nothing to lean on, receive strength from God and put all their trust in Him.” His message reminds us that the Church is called to be a place of hope and hope for the poor of refuge and hope, where prayer is translated into action and care in the real world. “We are called in every circumstance to be friends of the poor, following in the footsteps of Jesus, who was the first to stand in solidarity with the least,” concluded Pope Francis.
The 13 Houses Project for the Jubilee exemplifies this spirit of prayer in action, creating opportunities for the Church and communities around the world to join together and lift those who are experiencing homelessness. The Jubilee Year invites every Christian to become a “pilgrim of hope,” as Pope Francis calls the Church, to become “an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor.” With initiatives such as this, the Church continues its long tradition of offering refuge, dignity and compassion to the most needy among us.
In the coming year, the Famvin Alliance with the Homeless invites communities around the world to join this journey, creating lasting change for those in need of a home and solidarity.
