Manila, April 23 -- Sonia Cadornigara, regional coordinator of the Homeless People's Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (HPFI) for Iloilo City, will always cherish the rare privilege of embracing and not just holding the hand of Pope Francis, as well as meeting him not just once but twice.

Cadornigara was among the 40 chosen community leaders worldwide to meet with the Holy Father during the Global Meeting of Popular Leaders on Oct. 27 to 29, 2014, just over a year after he was elected pope in 2013.

In an interview on Wednesday, Cadornigara said Pope Francis, who was an advocate for land, housing and fair labor, reached out to community leaders after he was elected as the overall leader of the Catholic Church.

She said the Vatican com...