With the second anti-COVID dose administered last Saturday, May 29, 20211 in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, the vaccination ends of the poorest and most vulnerable, recipients of Pope Francis’ initiative to help the poor in face of the pandemic. Now the Pope’s Apostolic Almonry is looking for ways to help with vaccines in the countries most in need of them in the world.
According to “Vatican News,” last January a total of 1,800 homeless people were vaccinated; funds collected will be given to Nunciatures in Africa and Asia. 350,000 euros have already been donated to Syria. In this regard, His Holiness’ Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski said “it was a moment of grace,” and they will start again as soon as possible when the doses are of free trade.
Explaining the process of vaccination, the Cardinal said that the service was given to “people of the street, of different residences, who have the right to be vaccinated in Italy.” He also said that “this moment of grace” has ended “for these ‘invisibles’ of the city, who in reality are quite visible.”
Support to Poorest Countries
“Vatican News” also pointed out that at present only States can purchase vaccines. The Apostolic Almonry is undertaking diplomatic negotiations in order to help the neediest countries in which the application of doses is urgent, especially in Africa and Asia.
“The money collected through the “vaccine on hold,” donation that can be made on the Almonry’s Webpage, the offerings of many people to the Holy Father and the contribution of hospitals such as Rome’s Spallanzani Institute, will be sent to the Apostolic Nuncios, who will buy the doses,” explained Cardinal Krajewski.
The Polish Cardinal confirmed that “countries such as Madagascar, Venezuela, Ecuador and India” are the recipients of the donations. Of this money, “we could only use a part because the vaccine can’t be purchased in the market, so we’ll begin to send money to these countries, especially in Africa, where the Nuncios can buy it.”
Pope Francis has reiterated on several occasions the need for universal access to the vaccines, concerned as he is about the “dose gap” between the rich countries and the rest of the world. From the beginning of the pandemic, through the Apostolic Almonry, the Holy Father has tried to help people who are marginalized from the system, offering them care in installations near the Vatican, such as the clinic in the portico of Saint Peter’s Square or through the donation of medical and respiratory material to the poorest countries.
