Vatican offers free showers, shaves to homeless people

Homeless people lined up off St Peter’s Square to take advantage of Pope Francis’s latest charitable initiative: A free shave and shower.

Mauro Casubolo, 49, was one of the first clients as the Pope’s barbershop opened in the public restrooms just off the Bernini Colonnade.

His chin was still red from the shave — his first in three weeks — but he was grateful.

“It’s a beautiful thing he’s done for us, especially for us who live in the middle of the streets, because if you want to try to go find some work you can come here and have a shower,” said Casubolo.

The Pope’s chief alms-giver, Monsignor Konrad Krajewski, has said the project is needed since homeless people are often shunned for their appearance and smell.

The initiative is being funded by donations and the sale of papal parchments by Krajewski’s office.

Barbers volunteering on their days off — Rome’s barber shops are often closed on Mondays — and students from a local beauty school are donating their time, as well as sisters from religious orders and other volunteers.

Hairdresser Enrico Palmieri will do his first volunteer shift next Monday. “I was curious,” he said after getting his marching orders from organisers. “It’s something beautiful.”

Casubolo says he gets by with handouts from local charities, but that what he wants most is a job.