South Bay congresswoman gives constituents a chance to hear Pope

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Some Bay Area residents are hoping to win a special lottery that will give them the chance to see Pope Francis when he makes a historic visit to the U.S. next month.

His image hangs on the wall of the St. Joseph School in Mountain View and his message often makes it into class, but the thought of seeing Pope Francis in person never crossed 6th grader Jake Randazzo's mind until now.

"I think it's going to be pretty cool if we get to go," said Jake as he stood with his siblings.

Thanks to South Bay Representative Anna Eshoo, the Randazzos, along other families in the 18th Congressional District, may now get that chance.

One her website, Eshoo has set up a ticket lottery. All you have to do is fill out a form for the chance to win.

In all 50, tickets to see the pope address Congress on September 24th will be given away.

"I don't think you can be given an opportunity like that and pass it up," said Jake's mother Amy Randazzo.

The catch: winners will not be inside. Rather, they'll be watching it on a big screen from the West Lawn. However, the Pope has apparently expressed interest in greeting the crowd after.

The other issue is that winners of the tickets will have to pay their own way to Washington. Still, many in the parish said they'd take up a collection to help.

"We would be so so honored to be able to sponsor that person to go and actually meet him face to face," says Principal Anne Nowell of St. Joseph's.

Teacher Judy Geison says she was honored when she met Pope John Paul II and would be doubly grateful to see Pope Francis too.

"I would definitely fill out the application, said Geison. Whatever it took to have the chance to see the Pope in the United States on such a special occasion."

Those who are interested have to fill out the online form by September 8th. The lottery winners will be announced on the 10th.