Watch CBS News

Sharing & Caring Hands' Copeland Meets With Pope Francis

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis woman who serves the poor and homeless in the Twin Cities got a face-to-face meeting with Pope Francis Thursday in Washington, D.C.

Mary Jo Copeland, founder of Minneapolis' Sharing and Caring Hands, says the Holy Father prayed with her and blessed her work with the poor.

"He was warm, he was kind. I mean, I hugged him once and I hugged him again and he hugged me back, and I said, 'Pope Francis, pray for me and my work. It's getting bigger and bigger, and I just ask you to pray that I can continue this work and have your anointing,'" Copeland said.

Sharing and Caring Hands, located near Target Field in Minneapolis, is in the midst of a $5 million expansion. Copeland has worked to serve the Twin Cities' homeless and impoverished for 30 years.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.