Through the Elemosineria Apostolica, Pope Francis donated medical supplies to the humanitarian aid collection taken up by the Ukrainian Catholic Basilica of Hagia Sophia in Rome. The Elemosineria Apostolica, or Office of Papal Charities, is the Vatican department that provides charitable assistance to the poor in the name of the Holy Father.
The death and destruction in Ukraine we have seen in the last week or so have been accompanied by profound solidarity. Everyday lines of cars arrive at the Basilica of Hagia Sophia in Rome with medical supplies, food, and other essentials for the war victims in Ukraine. Trucks and minibuses travel from Rome across Europe to the Ukrainian border. This was reported by the Ukrainian edition of VaticanNews.
On the morning of March 2, 2022, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Almoner of His Holiness (think “alms”), arrived at the Basilica with medicine, bandages, and other supplies gifted by the Pope. This is only the first wave of such aid, and the Apostolic Eleemosynary emphasized that the Vatican is ready to keep helping those in need. The cargo should arrive in Lviv in the coming days. Many Ukrainian truck drivers donated their trucks to help deliveries reach their suffering compatriots.
Vatican assistance does not end there, however. The Apostolic Nuncios also receive various funds intended to help those in need located in countries where ecclesiastical structures provide support to refugees. The most recent tranche was sent to Romania.
Press Service of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC