PARMA (ITALPRESS) – The first “Lavanderia di San Francesco d’Assisi” (Lavanderia di San Francesco d’Assisi), the initiative dedicated to people without fixed abode and natives created and promoted by Procter & Gamble together with Elemosineria Apostolica, continuing thus in the commitment of help to the most fragile people started in Turin.
In the text of the Apostolic Exhortation “Dilexi te”, which bears the date of October 4, 2025, anniversary of the birth of St. Francis of Assisi and published on October 9, Pope Leo XIV repeatedly recalls the figure of the Patron Saint of Italy as a model of evangelical poverty and universal fraternity. And certainly, also from this inspiration, the new denomination that the Pontiff intended to propose to give stability to the project of the “Lavanderia”, not binding it to his name.
A gesture full of meaning, which aims to strengthen and make permanent the commitment of the Church and its partners in welcoming and serving the most fragile people, restoring dignity to people through personal cleansing and clothing. In “Dilexi te” Pope Leo XIV strongly recalls the unity between faith and concrete charity, and in this sense the project of the “Lavanderia di San Francesco d’Assisi” is a tangible implementation: a structure, a visible sign of active charity and a meeting between the faith and the concrete life of people at the service of the most fragile, witness of the “Poor Church for the Poor”, as Saint Francis already said and as today the Holy Father reiterates.
“I always thank God for the initiative of the company Procter & Gamble that, in a concrete and effective way, helps people in difficulty, the people who suffer and who too often is invisible to today’s society. St. James the Apostle writes in his letter “who thus knows how to do good and does not, commits sin” (4:17); we know how to do good and with the managers of the company we want to continue in this intent, knowing that true alms means to share with others what belongs to us. Almsine is a real help, a significant act made even more important if accompanied by a sincere reflection on one’s life journey. By helping the poor, we also help our lives and thanks to them we can change and correct it”, said His Eminence Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Elemosinist of His Holiness and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity – Apostolic Elemosineria.
Refurbished laundry detergents such as Dash and Lenor offered by Procter & Gamble, cleaning products or personal hygiene such as Head&Shoulders and Pantene shampoos and shavers and shaving foam Gillette intended for local showers and equipped with washing machines and dryers donated by Haier Europe, the “Lavanderia di San Francesco d’Assisi” of Parma will allow its own clothes to dry.
“This inauguration is a precious piece that completes the mosaic of Caritas attentions and services to the person in difficulty, in his different primary needs. ‘Tassello’ is the result of synergies and collaborations that see converge different subjects, with specific roles and skills, for the good of the poorest. We also like to emphasize the jubilee context in which this inauguration takes place, to indicate a concrete commitment to liberation and return. Thanks to those who made this possible: to the Apostolic Elemosineria, which puts us in communion with the universal Church, to the companies Procter & Gamble, Haier Europe. Thanks to the parish, which has made available the premises that also host other socialization activities, thanks to those who contributed to the restructuring (Fondazione Cariparma, Italian Caritas) and thanks to those who worked there, also exceeding the difficulties encountered. Finally, thanks to the people who come to us to ask for help: their face is a continuous appeal to remain human and to make our coexistence more human and just,” said H.E. Monsignor Enrico Solmi, Bishop of Parma.
“With the “Lavanderia di San Francesco d’Assisi” that we inaugurate today in Parma, we continue in the wake of a path begun eight years ago along with the Apostolic Elemosineria born from the desire to offer concrete, dignified and free help to those who live situations of difficulty. For us at Procter & Gamble, working together with the Apostolic Elemosineria, Caritas and our partners in Haier Europe, means translating our business mission into a gesture of real care, which gives value to people and to the community. The proposal of the Holy Father Leo XIV to dedicate this initiative to St. Francis of Assisi fills us with pride and responsibility at the same time and is a sign of closeness and encouragement that strengthens the human and spiritual value of this project with which we touch the lives of people, especially the most fragile, with the hope to contribute, even little, to improve it”, said Riccardo Calvi, Director Communication of Procter & Gamble in Italy.
“We are happy to continue to offer our contribution to the project of the Lavanderie of Pope Francis, an initiative that allows us to be part of a significant change and to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable people – said Karim Bruneo, Communication Director of Haier Europe -. Opening in Parma shows how it is important to give tangible support to those who live in conditions of strong discomfort, strengthening the right to hygiene as a universal principle. We are grateful to Procter & Gamble, to the Apostolic hemisphere and to the diocesan Caritas for their precious work that makes possible the realization of a project of so great social value”. A place of hygiene, therefore, but also of welcome and fraternity, where the person is at the centre and dignity is not a privilege, but a right.
-Photo press office Safe Communications-
(ITALPRESS).
