The World Day of the Poor has become one of the most significant events in the Vatican calendar. Since it was instituted by Pope Francis in 2017, numerous initiatives have been developed in favour of the most needy.
Pope Francis donated his new pair of shoes to a homeless man who has been living on the streets of Rome. The man named Giuseppe received the gift from the Pope on 17 November, a Sunday observed as the World Day for the Poor.
Last week, the Holy Father received a new pair of shoes in size 42 and he gave them to the Apostolic Almoner’s Office or Dicastery for Charity so that they could be donated to those who needed them. Giuseppe went to the Almoner’s office and asked for new shoes since his own were completely worn out.
“He immediately received the shoes from the Holy Father,” the cardinal explained. In addition to the same shoe size, Giuseppe and Pope Francis shared a special moment: a crowded lunch in the Paul VI Hall with 1,300 needy people.
This day was marked by other charitable initiatives, such as the extension of the opening hours of the clinic located under Bernini’s colonnade in St. Peter’s Square, which serves 150 homeless people every day.