Three lorries carrying 80 electricity generators, medicine, and food have arrived in Ukraine from Rome, Vatican News reports. The shipment was organized by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity at the request of Pope Leo XIV.
The vehicles departed from the Basilica of Saint Sophia in Rome and reached Fastiv and Kyiv, areas recently hit by attacks on energy infrastructure. The Pope had voiced his appeal for Ukraine at a General Audience on 4 February, expressing gratitude for solidarity initiatives in numerous dioceses, particularly in Poland.
Ukrainian bishops had requested assistance as night-time temperatures drop to minus 15 degrees Celsius, with daytime temperatures between minus 10 and minus 12 degrees. Many residents have left their homes for heated shelters where the generators enable them to receive hot meals.
"The consequences of the bombings have once again begun to strike energy infrastructure," Pope Leo XIV said in the Paul VI Hall.
The medical supplies include thousands of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, supplements, and melatonin. According to Vatican News, melatonin is especially in demand as it helps people sleep amid ongoing fear and stress.
The Dicastery for the Service of Charity, headed by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, is preparing another lorry with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antihypertensive medicines, and food supplies. Parish networks in different dioceses handle distribution once the aid reaches Ukraine.
Cardinal Krajewski thanked the Banco Farmaceutico, pharmaceutical companies, the Procter & Gamble group, and donors on behalf of the Pope. The aid was made possible through these contributions, Vatican News reports.
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