Bishop Blesses "Pope Leo Village" Groundbreaking

by Benjamin Shane Evans | May 5, 2026

Bishop William Joensen, assisted by Deacon Francis Chan, blessed the grounds of the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity’s future Pope Leo Village on Friday, April 24.

The Village is an effort led by the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity using funds from an anonymous donor who, according to the organization’s website, was “inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to serving others, peace, and unity.” This inspiration will manifest in the construction of six affordable homes in Des Moines’s River Bend neighborhood.

In his blessing, the Bishop expounded on the significance of the site to the neighborhood and greater diocese.

“It is a fitting gesture to name that village after our present Pope Leo XIV, who’s demonstrated his commitment to be a bridge builder among all peoples with special concern for those seeking opportunity to integrate more fully into the communities in which they live,” the Bishop said.

The Bishop further commented, “Our present holy father Leo draws from his predecessor Pope Francis where he comments, ‘All of us appreciate the beauty of those cities which overcome paralyzing mistrust, integrate those who are different, and make this very integration a new factor of development. How attractive are those cities which even in their architectural design are full of spaces which connect, relate, and favor the recognition of others.’”

Dowling Catholic High School junior Kathleen Warren also spoke at the blessing ceremony, where she expressed her excitement at bringing together Dowling Catholic High School and Habitat for Humanity for this project. Students and volunteers will come together this Fall to build cabinets and participate in the construction of the houses at the build site.

“When we volunteer for people in need, the things that divide us don’t matter,” Warren said. “The only things that matter are the things that bring us together. In creating homes for these six families, the students will be able to see the world from a new perspective and they will understand the dedication it takes to build these homes.”

The ceremony ended with the Bishop blessing the site with holy water.

“May the handiwork and the witness who bring this village to reality, including the young people who will take part in its fabrication serve as a catalyst for a deepened spirit of neighborliness in a community far beyond this Riverbend neighborhood,” the Bishop said.