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<p>During his Saturday afternoon visit to the foundation’s headquarters at Palazzo Sciarra Colonna, the Pope met with leadership and blessed a small chapel within the historic building.</p>
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<p>Pope Francis made an unannounced visit to Fondazione Roma on Jan. 11, where he praised the foundation’s charitable work supporting humanitarian projects worldwide.</p>
<p>Founded on principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, <a href="https://www.fondazioneroma.it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fondazione Roma</a> is a cornerstone of Italy’s philanthropic landscape.</p>
<p>During his Saturday afternoon visit to the foundation’s headquarters at Palazzo Sciarra Colonna, the Pope met with leadership and blessed a small chapel within the historic building, <a href="https://www.acistampa.com/story/27855/papa-francesco-in-visita-alla-fondazione-roma">reported</a> ACI Stampa, CNA’s Italian-language news partner.</p>
<p>According to a statement released after the visit, Francis expressed gratitude for the foundation’s “profound institutional commitment,” emphasizing “the importance of providing free access across all sectors, especially in culture.”</p>
<p>In a lighter moment, the Pontiff underscored the value of humor in life, sharing his daily habit of reciting a prayer for having a sense of humor — often attributed to St. Thomas More — as <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257999/pope-francis-gets-laughs-at-meeting-with-big-name-comedians">he has</a> in <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261053/in-meeting-with-frances-macron-pope-francis-shares-prayer-for-having-a-sense-of-humor">other encounters</a>.</p>
<p>Foundation President Franco Parasassi recalled the Pope’s <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260917/pope-francis-prays-at-romes-spanish-steps-for-immaculate-conception-2024-visits-salus-populi-romani" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent surprise visit</a> to Palazzo Cipolla to view Marc Chagall’s <i>White Crucifixion</i>.</p>
<p>The foundation, established in 1500 as the Monte di Pietà di Roma through a papal bull of Pope Paul III, continues its mission of solidarity and subsidiarity through projects across five sectors: health care, scientific research, assistance to vulnerable social groups, education and training, and arts and culture.</p>
<p>During the visit, the foundation gave Francis an overview of its far-reaching humanitarian initiatives. These include disaster-relief efforts in Argentina’s Bahia Blanca region, aiding populations affected by recent devastating storms, and maternal-health projects in Togo’s Archdiocese of Lomé, where they are providing ultrasound equipment for pregnant women.</p>
<p>Additional initiatives address socio-health-care challenges in Bethlehem, support for war-affected populations in Lebanon and Ukraine, and aim to strengthen traditional collaborations with Caritas and the Diocese of Rome, particularly aiding peripheral parishes.</p>
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<br /><a href="https://www.ncregister.com/cna/pope-francis-makes-surprise-stop-at-foundation-supporting-global-charitable-projects">Source link </a></p>
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Pope Francis Makes Surprise Stop at Foundation Supporting Global Charitable Projects| National Catholic Register
