The project will honor the Pope, who is currently in the midst of his first U.S. visit.
The project will honor the Pope, who is currently in the midst of his first U.S. visit. (Courtesy Habitat Newark)NEWARK -- Habitat for Humanity is raising money to build a home in the state's largest city that it says will be inspired by, and named for, Pope Francis.
The project will commemorate the Pope's first visit to the United States, which the pontiff is currently in the midst of.
"As the pope arrives, we are set to begin construction of this home to honor his commitment to social justice and his work to reinvigorate the Catholic Church," Jeffrey J. Farrell, CEO of Habitat Newark, said in a release about the project.
"Building this home is a unifying celebratory opportunity for both Catholic and non-Catholic volunteers in our area to work towards a common goal."
WATCH: Pope Francis speech skipped by Supreme Court majority
The West Ward home will be built partially from an anonymous $60,000 donation that stipulated that the project be tied to the Pope, Habitat officials confirmed. It will be known as the "Pope Francis House" project until it is handed over to the family, which will then retain naming rights, the group said.
Habitat Newark is working to raise an additional $60,000 to complete the project, they said. Currently working to obtain permits, the group said it hopes to break ground on the nine-month construction project later this year.
In a release, the group called the home "a lasting celebration of the Pope's visit."
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
