Caritas Services at Rome’s Termini Station to be named after Pope John Paul

(April 27, 2011) Caritas Services at Rome’s main railway and bus Terminus Station will be dedicated to “Blessed John Paul II”. The services include the canteen for the poor and the charitable Centre of Caritas. Rome’s Diocese which took the initiative said “ Through their charitable services. they desired to promote the memory of our Bishop of Rome, on the occasion of his beatification in St. Peter’s Square on May 1^st and to commemorate his pastoral work for the poor, the disadvantaged and the marginalised.” It said as a sign of this testimony, were chosen the Caritas services at Rome’s Terminus Station, which since 1987 have served as a reference point for the homeless, marginalised youth, poor elderly, and many mentally ill people, who flock to the area, where it is difficult to get a meal. It said the localities in two buildings, have been placed at their disposal by the State Railways and they carry out their activities in agreement with local authorities. It also said that after 20 years, it aims to improve and expand the charitable centres to offer a more dignified service, but the challenge facing them is the expense . Engineers have estimated the cost to be about 4 million euro, of which Caritas through private donations and the help of the government has already collected more than half. To complete the job, the diocese of Rome has decided to contribute through fund raisers, by holding concerts and other cultural events.