In the style of Francesco, yesterday the cardinal almoner, who is in the Eastern country to deliver the four ambulances donated by the Pontiff, received a surprise phone call. “He greeted and blessed everyone, he was in good spirits.”
By: Benedetta Capelli – Vatican News
Publication Date:
A joke from the Pope that once again shows how he does not lose his good spirits during a period of recovery. This is what Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who has been in Ukraine for the tenth time since the beginning of the war, reported in a message to the Vatican media. The almoner received a phone call from Francesco at the end of a busy morning in Zaporizhzhia, where he distributed food aid, delivered the medicines, and the ambulances donated by the Pope.
An Encouraging Phone Call
It was a surprise call from the Holy Father – the cardinal recounts – he wanted to know how the mission in Ukraine was going. He told me to greet everyone and gave his blessing. I replied that it was very cold, and he, in good spirits, added: ‘You know how to warm yourself up.’ Krajewski smiles as he tells the anecdote and adds that the phone call immediately had an effect, warming the hearts of everyone.
The Warmth of the Ukrainians
The cardinal then reflects on the commitments he had, recalling the line of poor people who had been waiting for food distribution since 5 in the morning, which started 4 hours later, demonstrating the great difficulties the local population is facing. “It was a very significant meeting,” he adds, “in the eyes of those people, I saw hope, love, and despite the cold, they thanked warmly, hoping that all this disaster will end soon.” Following the meeting with the local health authorities of Zaporizhzhia who received the ambulances. “We removed the Vatican plates, they were surprised at how well-equipped they were, and they set off for the places where there is the most need.”
The Gift of Medicines
Cardinal Krajewski also emphasizes the significant contribution received from various institutions in collecting medicines destined for Ukraine. “The medicines,” he explains, “were mainly taken from Naples, where in addition to the tradition of suspended coffee, there is also that of suspended medicine in about a hundred pharmacies. A collection worth about two hundred thousand euros. They told us here that the medicines are a great help.” The medicines were also offered free of charge by the Vatican Pharmacy and the Gemelli Polyclinic, which donated first aid medicines. From a small gesture, a wave of generosity and solidarity was born for the tormented Ukrainian people who have been suffering greatly due to the war for three years.
