Materially poor, treasure in soul

“Life often puts us in difficult situations. We should stay calm and keep our faith, since after the dark tunnel always comes the shining light. Even though there is likely no way out, there is always a solution. God can do anything”- says one letter, written by a shelter resident of the homeless shelter of Madrid’s Diocesan Caritas to patients hospitalized by coronavirus.

The residents of the homeless shelter run by the Caritas have written vast amounts of letters, have sent words of consolation to show their empathy with patients’ loneliness undergoing medical treatment.

In their letter, the homeless encourage the patients to leave everything to God. “God will take care of you and help you. Just trust in Him.” They have also assured the sick ones of their support.

“We are going to end this situation and everything is going to be fine. Don’t fall back. Stay strong with dignity in this battle.”

The homeless, being lodged in the shelter centre, are going through the very same coronavirus quarantine, like any other people of the country. Curfew restrictions are the same for everyone.

“According to the laws and regulation that has been implemented, the most difficult is to maintaining a social distance between people in an institution where welcome and warmth are of vital importance. So what we can do is to provide it with a surplus of smiles and encouraging gestures.” – said Susanna Hernández, being in charge of projects at the Caritas community.

Homeless are particularly at high risk of Covid-19 infection, since for most of them even the basic hygiene, like frequent hand washing or disinfection are of real challenges.

Homeless of Rome finds shelter around the Vatican. A well-known scenery for years by now, that along the edge and under the arcade of Bernini’s colonnade, the semi-circular rows of columns wrapping St. Peter’s Square in Rome many roofless spend their days and nights, using the place as a refuge.

The coronavirus pandemic has led the Italian authorities to restrict people’s free movement and ordered everyone to stay home. But what is going to happen to those with nowhere to go to find a shelter?

According to the Rome based Sant’Egidio Catholic community and volunteer network there are an estimated 8,000 homeless in Rome. “Unfortunately, no one has ever thought of these people. No doubt, they are at double risk, on the one hand they are endangered by the coronavirus pandemic itself, on the other hand of the isolation.” - said to a Catholic news agency Massimiliano Signifredi communications director for Sant’Egidio. The community’s data show that around 3,000 of the Italian capital city homeless will not ever be able to find a roof or a room in a shelter across Rome, thus they choose train stations and places like St. Peter’s Square as their “home”, to live and feel like at home.

Bernini’s colonnade –though numbers are slightly decreased recently- still hosts many homeless. As to a police officer being on duty nearby, the police does not force anyone to leave the square and to go to a shelter against their own wish, these roofless prefer staying out here, since this means the refuge for them.

Despite the increased level of risk, Pope Frances’ charity clinic still continues its services to help the homeless. The papal institution runs showers and bathrooms for the ones in need. People wanting to use the facilities of the centre are listed by names in the morning, and only these people on the list are allowed by the police to pass through the closed square.

As a Christmas present the Holy Father has opened a homeless shelter and a soup kitchen in a prestigious building facing the colonnade of St. Peter’s Square. Palazzo Migliori, the palace that has been converted into a homeless clinic helps people to stay off the streets even during the day, thus breakfast, lunch and dinner are also served for the needy.

The volunteers of Sant’Egidio and another Catholic charity, Caritas Roma do continue what they are doing, that is to organise food distribution to people in need. “Access to a meal is especially difficult during the pandemic lockdown. There are no open restaurants, no people passing by to offer some food or to give some money” – said the communication director. He then added:

“These people are extremely grateful that we have found them. Though our volunteers are wearing masks and gloves and maintaining the one meter of distance between themselves and others, this physical distance does not mean a human distance. We cannot shake hands or give a hug, still we can continue to communicate our affection and expression of our love towards them.”