Vatican City, Jul 22, 2010 / 11:10 am
The Pope's $250,000 donation for the reconstruction of a Haitian school is to be delivered today. The large monetary gift constitutes just a small part of the aid the Holy Father distributes every year to those in need.
Members of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum arrive in Haiti on Thursday to deliver a $250,000 gift on behalf of the Pope towards the reconstruction of a school in the capital of Port-au-Prince.
Vatican Radio reported that the gift "isn't just about an economic contribution, but most of all (it is) a gesture of closeness from Benedict XVI towards the victims of the earthquake, who still suffer much."
The Holy See's radio station explained that Pope Benedict "can carry out this gesture of charity and closeness to the victims of natural disasters, conflicts, poverty and hunger thanks to the donations of the Catholics of the world, that then are distributed by the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum' based on the indications received from the Pope."