Pope Francis Meets Homeless Street Paper Vendor for Exclusive Interview With INSP

Glasgow, UK, November 6, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​​Pope Francis has invited a formerly homeless street paper seller into the Vatican for an intimate meeting, in which he discussed his determination to make the Catholic Church support the poor.

The interview has been made available exclusively to international street papers through INSP’s News Service. The INSP News Service is a unique news agency that provides free content to the 113 members of the street paper network. The papal interview coincides with the celebrations around the 500th edition of the INSP News Service. For the last decade, INSP has been providing free editorial content to street papers, building their capacity and quality, and boosting vendors’ sales. Past exclusives have included interviews with the Dalai Lama and Bob Dylan, as well as an article written by Prince William.

"I want a world without poverty. We need to fight for that."

Pope Francis

Dutch street paper vendor Marc, 51, who sells Straatnieuws in Utrecht, was the lucky vendor to visit the Vatican on 27 October. The article was written by two Vatican specialists who joined Marc, Stijn Fens (Dagblad Trouw) & Jan-Willem Wits (former communication advisor for Dutch bishops).

Marc said: “It was so brilliant that he made the time for me and he thanked me for making such a long journey to meet with him. He thought about my questions so calmly. He took me seriously, that was really great. He is such a kind, wise but also humorous man. We had a really good laugh!”

Explaining why he chose to grant this rare interview to street papers, Pope Francis said: “I want a world without poverty. We need to fight for that.”

INSP Chief Executive Maree Aldam said: “We are delighted that Pope Francis has given this exclusive interview, which will feature in street papers around the world. It was also a very exciting opportunity for Straatnieuws vendor Marc to travel to Rome to meet the Pope.

“This feature follows many street paper exclusives with other high profile leaders such as the Dalai Lama and Prince William, as well as prominent cultural figures. Around the world, and throughout public life, people recognise the power of the street paper movement. We are delighted that so many important individuals want to be involved with our network.

“As we celebrate our 500th INSP News Feed, exclusive editorial like this demonstrates the power of the INSP network to work together to boost sales for our hard working vendors.”

For more information, please contact:
Laura Dunlop, Editorial and Communications Manager, INSP
[email protected] / 0141 302 6554

Notes to Editors

INSP

Founded in 1994, Glasgow-based charity INSP (International Network of Street Papers) supports and develops 113 street paper projects in 34 countries, in 24 languages. The network has a combined readership of 6 million per edition. At any one time, approximate 13,000 people make an income through street papers.

Street papers are independent newspapers and magazines that operate on a social enterprise and self-help model to provide an innovative solution to urban homelessness and unemployment.

Street paper vendors purchase copies of their local street paper and become micro entrepreneurs, selling their product on the streets, to earn their own living and support themselves and their families. In addition to employment, many INSP street papers offer their vendors on-going social support and training opportunities.

INSP supports the development and sustainability of its members, and adds value to their work so that thousands of homeless vendors – 250,000 so far – can earn a living and improve their lives. INSP does this by providing a range of services and projects, including its annual Global Street Paper Summit and the INSP News Service.

Keep up with INSP News: www.INSP.ngo
Facebook: www.facebook.com/inspstreetpapers Twitter: @_INSP

PHOTOGRAPHY

The accompanying image is free to use along with stories about INSP’s interview with Pope Francis. CAPTION: Pope Franciscus meets street paper vendor Marc from Utrecht, the Netherlands on 27 October 2015 at the Vatican, for an exclusive interview for all street papers, through the INSP News Service. INSP supports 113 street papers across the world, who offer employment to 13,000 homeless and marginalised people in 34 countries. First published in Straatnieuws, Utrecht, Netherlands. COPYRIGHT: Courtesy of INSP News Service www.INSP.ngo / Straatnieuws www.straatnieuws.nl.

Additional images are available from: http://bit.ly/1St2lNV. The purchase of these images will support the work of Utrecht street paper Straatnieuws, which homeless and formerly homeless people with the means to make a living.