Pope sends new shipment of humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Ukraine
Both war-torn countries will receive essential medications, and Ukraine will receive other needed items, including food and clothing.
Destruction in the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon. | Credit: Sadik Gulec/Shutterstock
In recent days, the new papal almoner, Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, confirmed that Pope Leo XIV sent humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Ukraine, two countries suffering from war. The prelate, who is charged with overseeing the pope’s charitable works, stated that “charity is the Gospel lived out.”
“The Dicastery for the Service of Charity serves as the conduit for the pope’s aid. In recent days, we dispatched a trailer to Ukraine containing medicines, food products, hygiene supplies, and clothing. We also sent 15,000 essential medicines to Lebanon,” the Spanish archbishop stated in a message posted on X.
As reported by Vatican News, the shipment to Ukraine took place on April 25, the same day of the papal almoner’s visit, and departed from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic basilica of Santa Sofia in Rome.
That shipment “marks the 150th truck to depart from our basilica,” explained the church’s rector, Father Marco Semehen, who highlighted the collaboration of the Governorate of Vatican City State and the Pharmaceutical Bank Foundation.
The shipments include several pallets of medicines, primarily antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, intended both for hospitals and for distribution among the local population through Ukrainian volunteer networks.
Semehen emphasized that the aid was gathered with particular consideration for the most vulnerable. “We have collected everything that could be useful, taking into account in particular the needs of the most fragile — the sick and the children,” he explained, noting that “for them, donations consisted primarily of medicines, family care packages, hygiene supplies, thermal blankets, food, and a great deal of clothing of excellent quality.”
The rector also highlighted the continuity of the pope’s assistance to the Ukrainian people over time.
“For Ukraine, this continuity of aid arriving from the Vatican means a great deal,” he affirmed, while noting that “with the prolongation of the war, we have observed a decline in attention toward the needs of the population.”
‘The Church is not merely theory or doctrine’
“The Church is not merely theory or doctrine; it is also practice: It is the Gospel lived out, a testimony of charity,” he stated, adding that witnessing such generous participation “is a source of great joy.” In this regard, he underscored that “charity is the fitting response of Christians in the face of the spread of hatred in the world.”
The papal almoner also issued an appeal for peace: “The cry ‘Peace, peace, peace!’ must enter the minds and hearts of all. We still have a long way to go, and we need a true conversion.”
The pope’s assistance also extended to Lebanon. As reported by Vatican media this week, the Office of Papal Charities organized the humanitarian aid shipment to the country, sending 15,000 essential medicines, which will be distributed through the apostolic nunciature in Beirut.
The medications include antibiotics, diabetes and blood pressure medications, anti-inflammatories, multivitamin supplements, and other drugs for the most common acute and chronic conditions.
Marín highlighted the importance of cooperation in responding effectively to humanitarian emergencies. “Our dicastery is engaged in charitable work at the international level as well, operating through nunciatures and local churches,” he explained, underscoring the need to build networks and raise awareness to shed light on “the terrible reality of war, the needs it creates, and how we can collaborate in concrete ways to help those who are suffering.”
