People from around the world are clamoring to the east coast for the Pope's visit this week.
From DC, to New York and Philadelphia, tens of thousands call it the opportunity of a lifetime.
KING 5 has learned of several dozen making the trek from the Seattle area.
About 46 are part of a group traveling to Philadelphia, organized in part by the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Tuesday afternoon, however, one woman in Olympia received a very special invitation from the United Nations.
"It just kind of popped up in my email saying congratulations you have won the lotto," said Roni Hong, president of the Tronie Foundation which aims to end human trafficking.
It was the last email Hong expected to receive. She knew she had applied to see the Pope at the United Nations Summit this Friday, but to be one of just 35 selected from a pool of at one time 2,000, let's just say she hadn't started packing her bags.
"They were trying to tell people 90 percent won't make it and for me to have this tiny open window, God is amazing that he opens doors for me," Hong said.
The pope's visit coincides with a personal victory for Hong.
She's testified before the international organization before on human trafficking and she says this week they'll adopt a goal she campaigned for to end forced child labor by 2025.
Hong, herself, is a survivor of child slavery.
"You can't even put words to this," Hong said. "Coming from my childhood, on the day I remember being kidnapped and sold into slavery, I'll probably start to cry."
Somehow, now, this trip feels even more special.
"I mean once in a life time once in a life time," Hong said.
Hong said she is excited to see Pope Francis, a man she believes to have a kindred spirit with hers.
"To see the pope, I am being there to witness that others do care for the common good," Hong said.
Hong said she flies to New York Wednesday morning.
