To mark this year’s World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis on Sunday, hosted lunch in the Vatican with the poor of Rome. He was joined by about 1,300 guests who dined in the Paul VI Hall.
The Catholic Pointiff and head of the Vatican City, sat with them in the large audience hall, where they were served by volunteer waiters and waitresses. The guests were brought to the Vatican by different charity groups that help them daily.
Earlier, in the homily during a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, where many of them sat in the front rows, Pope Francis called on people who are more fortunate “to break through that inner deafness which prevents us from hearing the stifled cry of pain of the frailest in society.”
He added that “If our heart is deadened and indifferent, we cannot hear their faint cry of pain, we cannot cry with them and for them, we cannot see how much loneliness and anguish also lie hidden in the forgotten corners of our cities.”
Other activities at the Vatican coinciding with the Day celebration included health services offered throughout the week in St. Peter’s Square for the disadvantaged.
It need be noted that those struggling with poverty often have difficulty or the impossibility of accessing medical care. Thus, as part of the initiatives, the mobile clinic facilities in St. Peter’s Square are providing medical checkups and medicines, including screening and treatments for HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.
The services have returned to the square after a two-year halt due to restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Food parcels for 5,000 families were also distributed via the network of parishes in Rome. Parish priests who requested this help received food items to serve the families in their areas needing this help.
Italy’s Elite Supermarket chain donated products totalling 10 tons of pasta, five tons of rice, flour, sugar, salt and coffee, and 5,000 litres of oil and milk. Each parcel brings together an assortment of food basics for households.
Also, outreach to assist families struggling with high energy bills due to worsened by rapid inflation in recent months is also being provided.
