A 35-weeks pregnant Sydney mother, Nadia Howlader, who had been living on the streets, has received the key to a new apartment — personally blessed and handed to her by Pope Leo XIV on Nov. 16 during the World Day of the Poor.
Howlader and her daughter Alisha traveled to Rome, where Pope Leo presented the key symbolizing her new home in a Sydney suburb, provided through the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Australia.
The gesture is part of the global “13 Houses” campaign, begun under Pope Francis and continued by Pope Leo for the Jubilee Year of Hope. The initiative aims to combat homelessness across 13 countries, honoring the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul, whose charity work began with building 13 houses in 1643 for abandoned children.
Countries participating this year include Syria, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, CAR, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, the U.K., and Ukraine.
“The St. Vincent de Paul Society is probably the largest homeless-prevention organization in Australia,” said Graham West, noting that coordinated casework and housing support enabled them to secure a home for Nadia.
Since 2018, the 13 Houses project has helped more than 10,000 people in 70 countries — offering dignity, shelter, and hope to the world’s most vulnerable.
Credit:Vatican New/CNA
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