Pope Francis donates his shoes to a person in need

The World Day of the Poor has become one of the most significant events on the Vatican calendar. Since it was instituted by Pope Francis in 2017, numerous initiatives have been developed in favor of those most in need.

This year, the event was marked by a personal gesture from the Holy Father: the donation of a pair of his own shoes to Giuseppe, a homeless man who has been living on the streets of Rome for years.

Last week, the Holy Father received a pair of new shoes in size 42. In view of this day, which was celebrated yesterday, November 17, the Pontiff handed them over to the Apostolic Almoner or Dicastery for Charity, so that they could be destined to whoever needed them.

This was reported by the prefect of the dicastery, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, to Vatican News. Giuseppe went to the Alms office and asked for new shoes, since his were completely worn out.

“He immediately received the shoes from the Holy Father,” the cardinal explained. In addition to the same foot size, Giuseppe and Pope Francis shared a special moment: a massive lunch in the Paul VI Hall with 1,300 needy people.

This day was marked by other solidarity initiatives, such as the extension of the hours of the clinic located under the colonnade of Bernini in St. Peter’s Square and which serves 150 homeless people every day.

Cardinal Krajewski stressed that everyone is provided with complete medical care, although they are also listened to and given attention, since “restoring dignity also involves listening.”

Before the meal, Pope Francis celebrated a Mass in which he asked not to look away from the needs of others, but rather to touch the hand of the poor and bring them the hope that God does not forget them.

Pope Francis’ shoes

Since he was elected Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis did not want to wear the traditional red leather shoes and chose to continue wearing the same simple black shoes that he used in Argentina.

These were made in a traditional orthopedic shoe shop located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires by Argentine shoemaker Carlos Samaria. At the beginning of his Pontificate, Pope Francis called Samaria, then 81 years old, from Rome to repair his old shoes.

Samaria described that the shoes the Pope wears are “a simple cut, made of black calfskin, smooth uppers, without stilettos. “If you grab one of the Pope’s shoes, it looks like a galocha, without decoration but with laces.”

“He doesn’t want new shoes, he just wants me to fix his old ones, but now I’m preparing a simple, but new pair for him when he tells me he can visit him,” said the Argentine shoemaker in April 2013.

As time went by, the Holy Father replaced those from Argentina with similar ones from health orthopedics. Fisiotop, located on Via del Jasminevery close to San Pedro Square, where he has made several “getaways” to buy them in person.