VaticanNews reports that today on the feast of Saint George the martyr, Pope Francis celebrates his name-day. Pope Francis is donating some medical equipment to mark this occasion. A number of ventilators will be delivered to Romania, Spain and Italy, countries particularly affected by the coronavirus epidemic. The delivery comes after an announcement on 27 March in response to the needs of several hospitals. Many leaders have sent their best wishes to the Pope.
Giving not receiving: This is the spirit that distinguishes today's feast day, in which the Church remembers Saint George the Martyr. This Saint died in 303 for not renouncing the faith during the anti-Christian persecutions unleashed by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Tradition remembers him especially for the episode in which, protected by the Cross, he slayed a dragon that was devouring people: a symbol of faith that triumphs over evil.
This is also the day in which Pope Francis - Jorge Mario Bergoglio - celebrates his "name day". The Pontiff himself offered a gift to mark the occasion: the delivery of ventilators and medical equipment, masks, and protective glasses for doctors and nurses, and coveralls for intensive care. A number of hospitals will be benefiting: one is in the city of Suceava, Romania, which has seen an outbreak of coronavirus, where five latest generation ventilators are expected; another two will go to a hospital in Lecce, Italy, and three more to Madrid, Spain.
The embrace of Francis
It is “a beautiful sign that falls on this particular day when the Holy Father does not receive a gift but gives it to others", said Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almoner, speaking of the imminent delivery, which he calls "an embrace of the Pope in a difficult situation for the whole world".
A few days before Easter, two ventilators, along with medical devices for doctors and nurses, and also Easter eggs arrived directly from the Vatican at the Cotugno hospital in Naples. Last year, again on the day of his name day, Pope Francis donated Rosary wreaths made for WYD in Panama to young people in the archdiocese of Milan, and a 20 kg chocolate egg to the poor at the Caritas canteen at Termini Station in Rome.
Best wishes to the Pope
At this time the Pope is receiving best wishes for his name day. In his message for Easter, the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella thanked Pope Francis for "the vibrant words of life and hope" repeatedly addressed by the Pope to the country and expressed in his best wishes for the Pope's name day.
Edited from VaticanNews.va
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