Vatican to Provide Showers, Barbers to Homeless Population in Rome

The Vatican in Rome, Italy has announced plans to open public showers and barbers free of charge for the homeless community.

The Holy See announced this week that it has almost finished the public restrooms that will be available near St. Peter's Square. The area will include free restrooms and showers that will be open every day except Wednesday, as well as a barber shop that will be open every Monday.

The Vatican said in a statement that those homeless "pilgrims" who visit the showers will receive a kit containing several hygiene essentials to help the homeless maintain a good appearance.

"Our pilgrims without a home will receive, along with a shower, a complete change of underwear and a kit with a towel, soap, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream and deodorant, according to different individual needs," the Vatican said in a press release.

The Vatican statement added that the new public showers have been constructed using high-quality, modern technology to ensure the utmost hygienic conditions for those visiting the public space.

The final project reflects "great sobriety and dignity, while also using modern features: every sink has hot water, a soap dispenser and hand dryers – all of which are motion activated," the Vatican says in the statement, adding that the walls and floors are sealed with a "unique resin" instead of porcelain to guarantee "maximum cleanliness."

According to the Associated Press, under the leadership of Pope Francis, the Holy See has recently participated in several acts of charity, including donating over 300 umbrellas left at Vatican Museums to the homeless in Rome so they may have some form of shelter during rain storms.