Vatican public restrooms to include showers for the homeless

[Recursion]

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1404717.htm

The archbishop who distributes charity on behalf of Pope Francis has announced that the public restrooms in St. Peter's Square will include showers where the homeless can wash.

...

Several people living on the streets of Rome or in tents say it is not difficult to find a parish or charity that will give them something to eat, but finding a place to wash is much more difficult.

Barbara, a Polish woman who lives in a tent with her teenage son and a companion, said showers in the Vatican's public restrooms "would be good. We'd thank them if it works."

Her companion, who calls himself Stefano, said: "I'm a mason without work. I'll help them build it. No problem."

This guy gets uncomfortably close to seeming like he has read what Jesus said sometimes...

[flamingdem]

1. That's pretty interesting

Thanks!

[Rex]

2. We've gone from pompous pope to pious pope.

The first one loved expensive red shoes, the second one sneaks out to say prayers to/for the downtrodden. Like night and day.

[Control-Z]

3. There should be public facilities

in every community. Ever think about job hunting after a week without a shower?

If you're a woman and homeless, that and avoiding rape are two of the biggies. Even before eating, I might add.

[Recursion]

5. Back in the Pleistocene I lobbied three DC mayors for shower facilities

Kelly, Barry, and Williams. Early on it was just because I thought it was the right thing to do, later (after I came back from Iraq) it came from some very hard-won knowledge about living on the fringes as a vet.

I'm currently living in Mumbai and I'm trying (as much as a farangi, foreigner, realistically can) to lobby for free access to hygiene facilities so that 12 year olds don't have to keep bathing naked on the sidewalks. The mayor is sympathetic but the municipal corporation worries about the cost. Some things never change. But, WHO just released a damning report on the availability of bathing facilities and its impact on malaria, diarrhea, and dengue spread (it won't take much imagination to figure out what that is), and they even included ebola for some current-interest relevance, though that's still not reared its head in the subcontinent (knock wood). Which we hope will turn some heads. And as much as I'm not a fan of the new party in power here in India and Maharashtra, they have made hygiene access an explicit campaign promise, so we're hopeful.

Anyways. The ancient Romans had at least some hygiene facilities available to all. I would hope we could reclaim the level of sanitation and civilization (and the two are in some ways inseparable) that was taken for granted 2000 years ago.

[gvstn]

7. +1

[LeftInTX]

8. Totally agree..

[Manifestor_of_Light]

4. Do they get to look at the Bernini sculptures too??

Stupid question.

[Recursion]

6. I'm pretty sure the art tour is free

Unless that's changed in the past 6 years.

[vlakitti]

9. Good comment, especially the last line:

"This guy gets uncomfortably close to seeming like he has read what Jesus said sometimes..."

I'd like to think so. I hope so. Wouldn't that just blow lots of minds....?

[Recursion]

10. Boy, wouldn't it?... (nt)

[Nuclear Unicorn]

11. Femen needs to do something about this! nt