Papal Charities to help vaccinate the most vulnerable
During Holy week, the Holy See plans to provide vaccines for “1,200 of the poorest and most marginalised people who, because of their situation, are the most exposed to the virus.” People can make an online donation to contribute to the initiative.English translation.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The Vatican plans to provide vaccines for some of the "most vulnerable" people during Holy Week.
The initiative, which comes from the Office of Papal Charities, is aimed at reinforcing “the Holy Father's numerous appeals to ensure that no one be excluded from the anti Covid-19 vaccine, the Office of Papal Charities once again accompanies the most fragile and vulnerable.
“During Holy Week, as Easter approaches, doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, purchased by the Holy See and offered by the Lazzaro Spallanzani Hospital through the Vatican Covid-19 Commission, will be used to vaccinate 1,200 of the poorest and most marginalised people who, because of their situation, are the most exposed to the virus.
“Furthermore, in order to continue to share the wonder of charity towards our poorest and most vulnerable brothers and sisters, and to give them the opportunity to access treatment and vaccination, it will be possible to pay for the vaccine for a person in need by giving “alms” with an online donation through the Holy Father’s charity account, managed by the Office of Papal Charities.”
The latter noted that “In his Message on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord 2020, Pope Francis made a heartfelt appeal: “I ask everyone – government leaders, businesses, international organisations – to foster cooperation and not competition, and to seek a solution for everyone: vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable and needy of all regions of the planet. Before all others: the most vulnerable and needy!
“In the face of a challenge that knows no borders, we cannot erect walls. All of us are in the same boat.” On the use of the vaccine, then, Pope Francis has repeatedly encouraged people to get vaccinated, for it is a way of exercising responsibility for one's neighbour and the collective wellbeing; he has strongly reiterated that everyone must have access to the vaccine, with no one being excluded because of poverty.
“Last January, when the anti-Covid19 vaccination campaign began in the Vatican, Pope Francis requested that fifty needy people, mostly homeless, who live around St. Peter's and who are assisted and sheltered daily by the assistance and residence facilities of the Office of Papal Charities, would be among the first to be vaccinated.
“The administration of the vaccine to the poor during Holy Week will take place in the specially designed facility inside the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, and the same vaccine administered to the Pope and employees of the Holy See will be used.
“The medical doctors and health workers providing the vaccination will be volunteers who work in the Madre di Misericordia mobile health clinic, which is located under the Bernini colonnade, employees of the Vatican's Directorate of Health and Hygiene, and volunteers from the Medicina Solidale Institute and Lazzaro Spallanzani Hospital.”
With the start of the vaccination campaign for its employees in early January, the Vatican also provided vaccines for some homeless people.
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19/01/2021 13:11
