Here’s What the Vatican is Doing for the World Day of the Poor

This week leading up to the World Day of the Poor, a mobile health clinic has been set up in St. Peter’s Square to give free health screenings and medical care to those who might otherwise not have access.

Services offered include general check-ups, electrocardiograms, blood tests, flu shots, COVID-19 tests, and screening for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Tuberculosis.

Food for families and paid utility bills

The Vatican is giving 5,000 boxes of food to parishes around Rome to distribute to families in need of extra help.

The initiative includes 10 tons of pasta, five tons each of rice, flour, sugar, salt, and coffee, and over 1,300 gallons of oil and milk to provide households with their basic food needs.

As an energy crisis continues to raise costs in Europe, some charitable organizations in Rome have also been given funds to cover the gas and electric bills of people struggling to make ends meet.

Before his general audience on Nov. 9, Pope Francis blessed a new sculpture by the Catholic artist Timothy Schmalz.

The life-size bronze work, called “Sheltering,” depicts a flying dove pulling a blanket over the naked body of a sleeping homeless person.

Schmalz, who is from Canada, is known for his religious- and social-themed sculptures, including “Homeless Jesus,” a copy of which can be found inside the Vatican.

He is also the creator of the “Angels Unawares” sculpture depicting immigrants and refugees and located in St. Peter’s Square.

The global Vincentian Family commissioned Schmalz’s latest work — a movement of religious congregations, lay associations, and charities inspired by St. Vincent de Paul — to highlight homelessness worldwide.