Pope Francis Opens Laundromat For The Homeless

April 10 marked the grand opening of “Pope Francis’ Laundry,” a Vatican-sponsored facility for anyone, including Rome’s homeless, to come wash their clothes.

“This is a free service offered to the poorest people…who can wash, dry and iron their own clothes and blankets,” stated Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, according to Newstalk.

Corporations Whirlpool and Proctor and Gamble helped make the facility functional by donating washing machines and detergent for public use, according to the New York Daily News.

Proctor and Gamble has also reportedly invested in providing free razors and shaving cream to a similarly charitable “barber for the poor” facility in the Vatican City, according to The Independent.

The laundry service is reportedly just one act of many in an extension of Pope Francis’ invitation to demonstrate solidarity and compassion with less fortunate populations.

“Here is a concrete sign wanted by the office of Papal Charities: a place and a service to give concrete form to charity to restore dignity to so many people who are our brothers and sisters and who are called, with us, to build a city we can trust,” said Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, according to Vatican Radio.

On Feb. 28, Pope Francis gave an interview to Italian street magazine “Scarp de’ tenis” where he elaborated on the Vatican’s initial efforts to extend basic accommodations to homeless populations and refugees, according to the Vatican:

“The Pope’s appeal was heard by many people and many parishes. Many of them listened. In the Vatican there are two parishes and each of them hosted a Syrian family. Many parishes in Rome opened their doors to receive them, and I know that others, which did not have any space in the church, collected money to pay rent for people and families in need for a full year. The aim to be reached must be that of integration, and therefore it is important to accompany them for the initial period. In many parts of Italy much was done. The doors were opened in many Catholic schools, in convents, in many other structures. Therefore, I say that the appeal was heard. I know that many people offered money to pay rent for homeless people.”

Thus far, the Vatican has also established facilities in health care, housing, and hygiene all offering similarly charitable service for the less fortunate.

The establishment of Pope Francis’ Laundry comes after the Vatican in January coordinated the distribution of sleeping bags to local homeless people, as well as making official vehicles available for people to warm themselves.

Sources: Newstalk, The Vatican Press, The Independent, the New York Daily News, The Vatican Radio/Photo Credit: Tânia Rêgo/ABr (Agência Brasil)/Wikimedia Commons