Pope Francis donated a medicinal oxygen system to Saint Raphael’s Hospital in Baghdad, reported “Vatican News.” This system for the production of medicinal oxygen — not only for Saint Raphael’s needs but also for those of other hospitals –, was inaugurated officially, with the Rite of Blessing, on Tuesday, November 23, 2021.

Funds for the donation were made available by the Vatican Secretariat of State, the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, and the Apostolic Almonry.

According to the same source, the Hospital’s Administrative Supervisor, Sister Maryanne Pierre of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Most Holy Virgin, expressed her gratitude for the Hoy Father’s valuable gift.

The Hospital’s Director, Ghaleb Mansoor Sawa, and the Head of the Analytical Laboratory Department, Dr. Amjad Khacheek Majeed, confirmed that the system has been functioning with regularity for some months and produces oxygen, “not only for Saint Raphael’s needs but also for those of other hospitals, including those of the State and those of other cities.”

The system’s productive capacity has made it possible to address the COVID-19 emergency and will be essential in case of probable new waves of the pandemic.

In his recent apostolic pilgrimage to Iraq, Pope Francis made a donation of $350,000, which will be allocated to initiatives in support of families most affected by the conflict, the economic crisis, and the pandemic reported the missionary Agency Fides.

 The Pope’s gesture was revealed by Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, who mentioned the papal donation at the end of a letter addressed to the Holy Father, on behalf of the local Assembly of Catholic Bishops, to express their gratitude for his visit to Iraq.

Translation by Virginia M. Forrester