Love in Action: New Cardinal Prioritizes the Homeless

Vatican City, December 10, 2024: French-born Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, newly appointed to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis, marked his first act as a cardinal by sharing dinner with the poor in Rome. This meaningful gesture took place on December 7, the same day 21 new cardinals from 17 countries received their red hats, emphasizing the universal nature of the Church. Speaking to Vatican News, Cardinal Vesco expressed his desire to share the gift of his new role with those in need.

On his second evening as a cardinal, Cardinal Vesco joined members of Rome Marathon, the Vatican’s Athletics Club, for a dinner outside St. Peter’s colonnade, near a homeless shelter. Together, they distributed meals and small gifts to those gathered. The cardinal described the event as an evening filled with “a lot of love,” expressing gratitude for the opportunity to connect with the marginalized.

Born in Lyon, France, in 1962, Cardinal Vesco’s journey to the cardinalate is marked by transformation and dedication. A lawyer by profession, he joined the Dominican Order at the age of 34. Sixteen years later, he was appointed Bishop of Oran, Algeria, where he served as a delegate for the International Assembly of Algeria. In 2022, Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of Algiers, a role that has further deepened his commitment to service and dialogue.

Algeria, a country with a complex history, gained independence from France in 1962 and endured a devastating civil war in the 1990s, resulting in over 100,000 deaths. Today, the nation is a key player in Africa’s economy, serving as one of Europe’s largest suppliers of natural gas. Against this backdrop, Cardinal Vesco’s service in Algeria highlights the Church’s mission of fostering peace and solidarity in regions with diverse challenges.

Cardinal Vesco’s first act as a cardinal underscores Pope Francis’s vision of a Church that prioritizes the poor and embodies the Gospel’s call to serve those on the margins.

Courtesy: Vatican News