Actor Richard Gere raising money for Philadelphia homeless

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- There was major star power in Philadelphia with an even bigger message.

Richard Gere and director Oren Moverman from the new film Time Out of Mind visited the city Thursday to not only promote their new film, but to help promote kindness and compassion for those less fortunate in the spirit of Pope Francis.

Time Out of Mind is a haunting look at a homeless man's daily quest to survive and the stigmas that surround those living on the streets

"People have this idea that they are all mentally ill, they're dangerous, they're difficult, they're not us, they are not our family," Gere said.

Inspired by the film's message of empathy and compassion, Gere and Moverman are raising money for those who suffer on our streets in Philadelphia.

"It should be a tool of social change and wake people up a bit," Gere said.

The proceeds of their Thursday night event will benefit Project HOME and the Francis Fund, a special fund created in honor of Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia.

Gere says this pope in particular has a particularly powerful compassion and concern for our poor sisters and brothers.

"He's living in the real world. He's not living with silly ideas from another time and place. He's dealing with people as they are on this planet," Gere said.

Gere who was born in Philadelphia will also be back next month to support another leader who has united people with his teachings of kindness - the Dalai Lama said.

"He has become an extraordinary beacon of light and possibility to people all over the world in very short amount of time. I think he has a lot in common with the pope, this pope especially. Again, we are in this together," Gere said.

Time Out of Mind opens on September 25th at the Ritz V.