Pope Francis has asked the papal almoner to give free ice cream to Rome's homeless on St George's day. In celebration of his name day, the Pontiff asked his charities' office to distribute free gelato to the 3,000 people who use the city's homeless shelter and soup kitchens.
The pontiff has frequently reached out to the city's homeless population including opening the doors of the Missionaries of Charity shelter during a memorably cold spell in January 2017. Later that year, he opened the 'Pope Francis Laundry' providing free laundering facilities. The almonry, headed by Archbishop Konrad Krajewski acts as the Holy See's charities office. It is in charge of exercising personal charity on behalf of the Pope.
