«With this gesture the Supreme Pontiff hopes to express his closeness to sick Ukrainian children, in particular, those who suffer from the consequences of Chernobyl,» the 1986 nuclear accident, Vatican spokesman Joaquín Navarro-Valls said in a statement today.
The donation to the No. 2 Municipal Pediatrics Hospital of Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, takes place a few days before the Pope visits that city. His June 23-27 trip will also take him to Lviv. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church opposes the papal trip.
The ceremony to offer these gifts was held Monday in the Kiev hospital, in the presence of Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Petro Sardachuk, civil and ecclesial leaders, and the media.
«The hospital authorities have stressed that the equipment is already in use and will help save the life of many sick children,» Navarro-Valls´ statement stated, adding that the Holy Father´s gift «has had great echo in public opinion.»
