Covid-19: Holy See thanks China for aid

By Vatican News

In a Statement released on Holy Thursday, Matteo Bruni writes that in these days and in particular, through the “Red Cross Society and the Hebei Jinde Foundation”, donations of health supplies have arrived at the Vatican Pharmacy. This gesture, reads the statement, is “an expression of the solidarity of the Chinese people and the Catholic communities” towards those involved in both the prevention of the ongoing pandemic, as well as the relief of those who have been affected.

Finally, Matteo Bruni writes that “the Holy See appreciates the generous gesture and expresses its gratitude to the Bishops, the Catholic faithful, the institutions and all the other Chinese citizens for this humanitarian initiative”, and assures them of the Holy Father’s esteem and prayers.

Fides News Agency gave the news that part of the aid received was sent through the Vatican Pharmacy to the Department of health and hygiene of the Diocese of Rome.

Other aid, with large quantities of the same equipment, was sent to the diocese of Macerata, the Agostino Gemelli polyclinic and the National Alpine Association’s field hospital.

The first shipment of medical equipment arrived in Italy two weeks ago and was taken over and redistributed by Caritas Ambrosiana throughout the archdiocese of Milan and the Lombardy region which is at the epicentre of the pandemic.