Both war-torn countries will receive essential medications, and Ukraine will receive other needed items, including food and clothing.<\/p>\n
In recent days, the new papal almoner, Archbishop Luis Mar\u00edn de San Mart\u00edn, confirmed that Pope Leo XIV sent humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Ukraine, two countries suffering from war. The prelate, who is charged with overseeing the pope\u2019s charitable works, stated that \u201ccharity is the Gospel lived out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Dicastery for the Service of Charity serves as the conduit for the pope\u2019s aid. In recent days, we dispatched a trailer to Ukraine containing medicines, food products, hygiene supplies, and clothing. We also sent 15,000 essential medicines to Lebanon,\u201d the Spanish archbishop stated in a message posted on X.<\/p>\n
As reported by Vatican News, the shipment to Ukraine took place on April 25, the same day of the papal almoner\u2019s visit, and departed from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic basilica of Santa Sofia in Rome.<\/p>\n
That shipment \u201cmarks the 150th truck to depart from our basilica,\u201d explained the church\u2019s rector, Father Marco Semehen, who highlighted the collaboration of the Governorate of Vatican City State and the Pharmaceutical Bank Foundation.<\/p>\n
The shipments include several pallets of medicines, primarily antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, intended both for hospitals and for distribution among the local population through Ukrainian volunteer networks.<\/p>\n
Semehen emphasized that the aid was gathered with particular consideration for the most vulnerable. \u201cWe have collected everything that could be useful, taking into account in particular the needs of the most fragile \u2014 the sick and the children,\u201d he explained, noting that \u201cfor them, donations consisted primarily of medicines, family care packages, hygiene supplies, thermal blankets, food, and a great deal of clothing of excellent quality.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rector also highlighted the continuity of the pope\u2019s assistance to the Ukrainian people over time.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Ukraine, this continuity of aid arriving from the Vatican means a great deal,\u201d he affirmed, while noting that \u201cwith the prolongation of the war, we have observed a decline in attention toward the needs of the population.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018The Church is not merely theory or doctrine\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Church is not merely theory or doctrine; it is also practice: It is the Gospel lived out, a testimony of charity,\u201d he stated, adding that witnessing such generous participation \u201cis a source of great joy.\u201d In this regard, he underscored that \u201ccharity is the fitting response of Christians in the face of the spread of hatred in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The papal almoner also issued an appeal for peace: \u201cThe cry \u2018Peace, peace, peace!\u2019 must enter the minds and hearts of all. We still have a long way to go, and we need a true conversion.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pope\u2019s assistance also extended to Lebanon. As reported by Vatican media this week, the Office of Papal Charities organized the humanitarian aid shipment to the country, sending 15,000 essential medicines, which will be distributed through the apostolic nunciature in Beirut.<\/p>\n
The medications include antibiotics, diabetes and blood pressure medications, anti-inflammatories, multivitamin supplements, and other drugs for the most common acute and chronic conditions.<\/p>\n
Mar\u00edn highlighted the importance of cooperation in responding effectively to humanitarian emergencies. \u201cOur dicastery is engaged in charitable work at the international level as well, operating through nunciatures and local churches,\u201d he explained, underscoring the need to build networks and raise awareness to shed light on \u201cthe terrible reality of war, the needs it creates, and how we can collaborate in concrete ways to help those who are suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n