PopeFest, a week-long celebration in honor of Pope Francis coming to the United States, kicked-off Wednesday, September 23, on campus. In honor of this festival, there are several events this week to celebrate both the Catholic faith and Jesuit education.

From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday on the quad, the Center for Community Service and Justice (CCSJ) and Campus Ministry  teamed up to ask the students what they want to hear the pope say when he address Congress on Thursday. A paper-covered board with “What Do You Hope the Pope Says in His Address to Congress? ”written on the top was displayed for students to write on. .

Several students had written their answers, including, “sustainability,” “helping the homeless,” and “LGBT individuals.” Giuliana Stillo, a representative from CCSJ, was very happy about the turn out. “A lot of students have written great topics for the pope to talk about,” she said.  ““ Obviously he won’t be able to cover all of them, but whatever he doesn’t talk about will be great things for us, as a school, to discuss.”

Chin-Mei Maniyatt, program coordinator of communications in CCSJ, commented about why CCSJ chose to have this available to students. “We wanted to make students aware that, yes, the pope is really coming to D.C. and how big of a deal it is that he is addressing Congress. We also wanted to ask what issues the students care about and that they hope to hear him say in his address. These social justice issues are really what CCSJ is all about and hopes to discuss in the upcoming year,” said Maniyat. “This pope is especially great for this generation, and for Jesuits and Jesuit education here.”

Elise Gower, the assistant director of campus ministry, agreed, adding, “It’s great to find out what really energizes students.”

Gower reported on why Campus Ministry was proud to get involved with this project, saying that, “this pope is really challenging us to think about social justice issues and to do something about them.”

In addition to the board students were invited to write on, a cardboard cutout of Pope Francis was on the quad for anyone who wanted a picture with him, along with a white board for students to share what they would say to the pope if given the chancehe were really there. He was coupled with a sign that said #Hounds4Francis, the official tag on social media for Loyola’s Popefest updates. Students can also write on a quote board what they would say to the Pope, if he were really here when they pose with him.

The next event for Popefest is Thursday, September 24, Studentsall are welcomed to can watch the Pope’s Address to Congress on Thursday, Sept 24, at 10:00 a.m. in the CCSJ office. There will be “Pope-yseed” bagels and cream cheese available.  

CCSJ also has a drawing to win t-shirts. Students can become eligible to win a t-shirt by liking “Loyola CCSJ” on Facebook.