Vatican Santa Marta Paediatric Dispensary reopens
The Vatican’s Santa Marta Paediatric Dispensary has reopened after being forced to shut down for more than two and a half months due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Despite the pandemic still being present at large, the Dispensary in the heart of the Vatican re-started its services for needy children and pregnant women last week.
“In a few days everything will be back to normal as before,” said volunteers at the Dispensary.
One of them, Valentina Giacometti, said: “The Dispensary must necessarily offer a sign of presence,” adding they are close to those who are currently experiencing the greatest economic and social difficulties.
New mothers from all over the world come to Santa Marta Paediatric Dispensary, which is part of the activities of the Office of Papal Charities, the Holy See’s department charged with exercising charity to the poor in the name of the Pope.
In the past few months under lockdown, the Dispensary has been providing assistance by phone.
From now on though, access to the services will be regulated in keeping with health protocols, especially physical distancing.
Pope enacts new law for awarding public contracts
The Holy Father has released an Apostolic Letter creating legislation to govern the awarding of public contracts of the Holy See and Vatican City State.
The Apostolic Letter, released last week, shall follow the principles of transparency, centralised control, and competition to reduce the risk of corruption.
The new regulations, according to Pope Francis, are aimed at “fostering transparency, control and competition in the procedures for the awarding of public contracts stipulated on behalf of the Holy See and Vatican City State”.
“The diligence of a good family father,” wrote the Pope, “is the general principal and of the utmost respect, on the basis of which all administrators are required to perform their functions.
“Good management of public goods,” he adds, requires “faithful and honest administration.”
The text, composed of 86 articles, will serve as a single reference point for awarding public contracts to external entities and is in conformity with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
The legislation extends to all entities of the Holy See, which up to now lacked their own laws governing contracts and public works.
Vatican museums offer free entry to medical workers
The Vatican Museums are offering free entry to medical workers in appreciation for their work on the frontline of Italy’s Covid-19 outbreak.
Doctors, nurses and all other staff members of the country’s public and private health facilities will have free entry to the museums on June 8-13.
The announcement came as Italy opened its regional borders, allowing doctors throughout the country to visit Rome.
The Vatican is also offering free entry to the Pontifical Villas and gardens at Castel Gandolfo, which reopened for weekend visits on June 6. All visitors to the Vatican Museums will be required to make online reservations in order to limit the number of people in the museums and stagger entrance times.
Group visits are capped at a maximum of 10 people and visitors will only be admitted with face mask and a temperature check.
Visitors will be able to see the newly-restored frescoes in the Raphael Rooms’ Hall of Constantine, which were unveiled to the public when the museum opened its doors on June 1.