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MPR News Staff

Mary Jo Copeland, Mpls. advocate for the poor, to meet pope on U.S. visit

Greeting visitors
Sharing and Caring Hands founder Mary Jo Copeland will meet Pope Francis in person during his visit to the United States next week. Here, Copeland welcomed visitors at the downtown Minneapolis nonprofit.
Jeffrey Thompson | MPR News 2013

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Mary Jo Copeland, a longtime advocate for those in poverty in the Twin Cities, will meet Pope Francis in person during his American visit next week, according to the archdiocese newspaper The Catholic Spirit.

Copeland, 73, is the founder of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Sharing and Caring Hands. She's known nationally for her ministry to people in need. In 2013, President Barack Obama honored her with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor, for her charitable efforts.

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia during his trip to the U.S. next week.

Copeland is expected to meet him Washington.

According to The Catholic Spirit, Copeland doesn't know yet when or how long the meeting will last, but she told the paper, "I believe that this means that God wants me to continue to know that he's pleased with my work, and he wants me to continue to help his people. "