Vatican city: Pope Leo XIV sent essential aid and medicines to the peoples of Ukraine and Lebanon, as a new humanitarian shipment recently departed from the Greek Catholic Basilica of Saint Sophia in Rome, destined for the Ukrainian people affected by the war.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the rector of the basilica, Don Marco Simehien, stated: "This is the 150th truck leaving the Saint Sophia Basilica." Most of this aid was collected with the support of the Governorate of Vatican City State and the Medicine Bank Foundation. The shipment includes several pallets of medicines, mainly antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, intended for hospitals and to be distributed to the local population through Ukrainian volunteer networks.
The Papal Almonry (Office of Papal Charities) has also recently organized a humanitarian shipment to Lebanon. This consignment consists of around 15,000 packages of essential medicines for the population, which will be distributed through the Apostolic Nunciature in Beirut. The medicines include antibiotics, diabetes medications, blood pressure drugs, anti-inflammatory medicines, and multivitamin supplements needed to treat most common acute and chronic conditions.
Monsignor Luis Marn de San Martn, the almoner, explained to Vatican media: "We gathered everything that could be needed, with special attention to the most vulnerable groups, patients, and children. The donations included medicines, household supplies, hygiene items, thermal blankets, food supplies, and high-quality clothing."