Pope Francis opened a laundromat with free wash, dry and ironing services for the poor in his latest initiative to help the less fortunate, the Vatican said Monday.
"The Pope's Laundry" has six washers, six dryers and irons as well as detergent and softener which were donated to help start the program, according to Catholic News Agency.
“One of the greatest difficulties for those who live on the streets, along with that of finding food, a place to spend the night and public baths, is to wash and dry the clothes they wear, in many cases the only ones they own,”
The service aims to "restore dignity to so many people who are our brothers and sisters," Archbishop Konrad Krajewski said in a news release.
A former hospital facility was converted into the laundromat in the neighborhood of Trastevere. It will be run by volunteers who will wash, dry and iron the clothes.
There are plans to add showers, a barbershop and medical services in the future.
This is not the first facility the pope has opened to help the poor around the Vatican.
He had a barbershop and shower established for the poor two years ago. Later that year he opened a homeless shelter with housing for 84.
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