Signing ceremony for two ambulances donated to the Directorate of Health and Hygiene

Two new fully-equipped mobile health vehicles for the Jubilee

With the official signing of the deed of gift for two new ambulances, the Governorate’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene is continuing its preparations for the upcoming Jubilee. The two emergency vehicles were donated by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and by the Futuro Salute ETS per nuovi modelli di welfare Foundation. The official ceremony took place on Friday morning, 22 November, at the Palace of the Governorate. The deed of gift was signed by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate, and by the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap, and the President of the Foundation, Mr. Roberto Favaretto.

The Delegation representing the Order at the ceremony was composed of the Grand Hospitaller, Fra’ Alessandro De Franciscis, and by the Receiver of the Common Treasure, Fabrizio Colonna. In addition to the Cardinal President, the Grand Master and his Delegation were also welcomed by Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General, Mr. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, Deputy Secretary General, Professor Andrea Arcangeli and Mr. Luigi Carboni, respectively, Director and Deputy Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene.

Withe the donation of the new ambulances to the Governorate, the Order of Malta inaugurates its activities for the Jubilee. Some 2,000 volunteers will offer their services in the First Aid stations managed by the Order in the four Papal Basilicas: Saint Peter’s, Saint John Lateran, Saint Mary Major and Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The operation centre will be the First Aid station in Saint Peter’s Square, the medical facility run by the Order of Malta located just a few metres from the Basilica’s parvis, which has been providing medical assistance to pilgrims 365 days a year, for 45 years, especially during Wednesday General Audiences and celebrations.

We publish the speech of the Cardinal President:

I greet S.A.E Fra’ John T. Dunlap, Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta,

Mr. Roberto Favaretto, President of the Futuro Salute ETS per nuovi modelli di welfare Foundation,

and their respective delegations,

I also greet Sr. Raffaella Petrini and Mr. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, respectively, Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State,

and Professor Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene.

It is a great pleasure for me to participate in this ceremony today, to commend the donation of two ambulances, and I sincerely thank the Order of Malta and the Foundation for their generosity.

I am convinced that these vehicles will allow members of the Governorate’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene to carry out their mission and their service with greater efficiency.

The Jubilee is close at hand, and these gifts are essential in facing the challenges that await us: welcoming millions of pilgrims throughout 2025.

It is undeniable that these two fully-equipped state of the art ambulances are of fundamental importance. They are a tangible sign of the solidarity and participation of people who contribute to the mission of the Successor of Peter, and to the smooth running of the State, which was born precisely to be at the service of the Pontiffs.

This gesture of profound generosity is a response to the needs expressed, not only by Vatican residents and by the employees and retired personnel of the Governorate and of the Holy See, but also by all the people, faithful and visitors alike, who come to visit the Tomb of Peter.

In this way, they will have access to a high-quality medical transport. The two ambulances are completely equipped to respond to situations requiring access to care, and will guarantee the transportation of the sick in better conditions of hygiene and safety. Moreover, the ambulances will be available day and night, thus making them essential to ensuring an efficient service, capable of meeting the needs that arise.

The event that brings us together today is a concrete indication that solidarity has no boundaries, and that it can help achieve the objective of improving and updating the healthcare services of the Governorate, so that they can better respond to the needs of visitors.

I renew my most profound gratitude for these gifts and I express my appreciation, which is reflected in my prayers for all of you.