Pope Francis gifts medical equipment to combat Covid-19

On Sunday 25 April, 2021, the Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. José A. Bettencourt, with Rev. Fr. Mario Cuccarollo, director of the Redemptoris Mater Hospital in Ashotsk, Armenia and the participation of the Armenian Catholic Community of Yerevan, blessed and medical equipment for care of Covid-19 patients, gifted by Pope Francis.

The ceremony took place on the grounds of the Ordinariate of Armenian Catholics in Kanakar after Sunday Holy Liturgy.  A new ambulance fully equipped with the latest mobile medical care equipment and Covid-19 testing units was presented.  The hospital also acquired additional capabilities for testing and caring for patients infected with the Covid-19 virus.  Earlier in 2020 the hospital had already received ventilators through a generous donation of Caritas Georgia and Armenian Caritas.

The arrival of the new equipment was facilitated thanks to the “Good Samaritan Foundation” of the Vatican Dicastory for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Apostolic Nunciature.  The Holy See’s “Good Samaritan Foundation” is one of many well-known Catholic Foundations that networks with other institutions to assist in humanitarian needs.

The Redemptoris Mater Hospital in Ashotsk is run by the Fathers of St. Camillo of Lellis who for over 25 years serve the health care needs of patients in the region of the South Caucasus.  The hospital provides health care at a nominal cost and most often free of charge to those most in need.

On this 8th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis, the Apostolic Nunciature wished to celebrate the occasion in a way that is most fitting the Pontiff’s teachings – in giving thanks to God for faithful doners’ generosity and extending hands to those in need.