PICO National Network and its affiliate POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild) will host a three-day, multi-faith “Faith Matters in America” summit during the papal visit in Philadelphia.

Faith leaders will hold panels with key Pope Francis advisors, including His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, as well as Ferguson Commission member Pastor Traci Blackmon and other faith leaders active in the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

According to organizers, nearly 300 key faith leaders and allies from more than a dozen states “will gather to make plans to bring Pope Francis’ message home and put his call into action.” One of the objectives of the summit is to help refocus the church and society based on the needs of people most oppressed and marginalized, including immigrants, the incarcerated, struggling workers, and young men and women of color.

“The goal of the summit is to help participants deepen their own faith and understanding about how Pope Francis’ religious leadership is calling them to act in this moment, and train people to return home and put their faith into action collectively,” the coalitions said in a statement.

The summit will begin Friday, Sept. 25, at Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia, Liberty Ballroom, (201 N. 17th Street), and will continue until Sunday, Sept. 27, after the Papal Mass on the Ben Franklin Parkway,

Schedule of events

Friday, September 25

12:00pm                    Welcome & Background

12:50 p.m.                    ENCOUNTER: Do You See Me

1:50 p.m.                      Break

2:05 p.m.                      JUDGE: Panel Discussion on Theology of Encounter & Resistance

3:30 p.m.                      ACT: Call to Action

5:45 p.m.                      Procession & Vigil to Welcome Pope Francis to Philadelphia

Saturday, September 26

10:00 a.m.                    KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Academy for Justice and Peace           

11:00 a.m.                    Blessing for Delegation Attending Pope Francis’ Speech on Immigration

11:10 a.m.                    ACT: How do we act together?

12:30 p.m.                    Lunch

1:30 p.m.                      Planning Time

3:00 p.m.                      Covenanting with Each Other

3:30 p.m                      Close & Early Dinner Buffet