On the express wish of the Pope, the Apostolic Almoner went in recent days to the area of Central Italy affected by the earthquake, to purchase from small retailers greatly affected by the quake, typical food products, a note of the Holy See Press Office announced today.
“In agreement with the Bishops of Rieti, Monsignor Domenico Pompili of Ascoli Piceno; Monsignor Giovanni D’Ercole, F.D.P. of Camerino-San Severino Marche; Monsignor Francesco Giovanni Brugnaro and Monsignor Renato Boccardo of Spoleto-Norcia, some groups of peasants, farmers and products were singled out whose businesses run the risk of closing due to the damages caused by the earthquake,” reads the note.
The Apostolic Almoner was authorized to purchase a great quantity of their products with the express intention of the Holy Father to help and encourage them to continue in their activity.
The Holy See Press Office stressed that it is “a gesture in line with Pope Francis’ magisterium who in his meetings has often recalled that ‘when bread is not earned, dignity is lost.’”
All the products acquired were immediately distributed to charitable tables of the city of Rome for the preparation of meals offered daily to needy persons without a fixed abode.
For some time now also at Annona, the supermarket present within Vatican City and reserved for Vatican employees, it has been possible to acquire some products of the earthquake areas, thus contributing to support and to help the economy of that part of Central Italy, still struggling to restart.
