On Oct. 14,  Valley Interfaith and Industrial Areas Foundation had the rare opportunity to visit with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

An interfaith delegation of 20 leaders and organizers from the West/Southwest IAF met with Francis to share their collective work of broad based organizing at a time when the Pope is guiding the global church in a Synod listening process. The Pope sat side by side with the group at his residence in a 90-minute conversation in Spanish with back and forth engagement. 

This invitation to meet was in large part due to the recognition of the groups work by local Bishops, in particular those involved with the Recognizing the Stranger strategy, which is dedicated to formation and leadership development of immigrant parishioners. As well, their involvement to support the Synod process in multiple dioceses has helped to bring those in the margins to the center of the synodal dialogue. 

Forming New Connections

Before the experience’s conclusion, Francis thanked the group for the visit, saying that although he had never known of IAF before, he was glad that he knew them now. Furthermore, he welcomed further conversation around the group’s continuing work with the Synod process.

Part of the delegation was also able to meet also with others at the Vatican, including leadership in the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, the General Secretariat of the Synod and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.  

The group says it is grateful to the support of this historic visit, including prayers, advice, encouragement and financial investment. The group spent a full day in advance of the meeting with Pope Francis by conducting their own synodal process. 

Valley Interfaith leaders along with industry partners founded VIDA in 1995 as a workforce development model to serve the Rio Grande Valley’s economically disadvantaged residents achieve career success.  They remain active in workforce development initiatives, with currently six of VIDA’s board members representing Valley Interfaith leaders.