Vatican Blesses Berlin Mobile Showers for Homeless: A Sign of Solidarity
Berlin/Vatican City, May 22 – In an unusual sight in the stately Belvedere Courtyard at the Vatican, two modern camper vans, converted into mobile showers, received a blessing from Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on Wednesday, May 20. These vehicles, brought all the way from Berlin by a delegation from the Catholic Women’s Social Service (SkF) Berlin, represent a concrete testament to Catholic charity for the homeless.
The initiative, which has been in development for five years, culminated in a special pilgrimage to Rome to mark the 125th anniversary of the SkF Berlin’s organized care for the needy and homeless. The journey, dubbed #roadtorome4home, began on May 15 in Berlin and included stops in Würzburg, Nuremberg, and Munich, where the Berlin delegation raised awareness about their work for homeless women and youth.
Raising Awareness and Providing Practical Support
Rebecca Aust, a social worker and project coordinator for the women’s mobile shower, emphasized the importance of creating awareness for the support of homeless people. “We want to create awareness for the support of homeless people, awaken compassion, and encourage donations. We all have to work together to solve these problems in the long term,” she stated.
The mobile showers are a crucial component of the SkF Berlin’s outreach efforts, providing immediate, low-threshold support. The project specifically targets vulnerable groups on the streets, such as women and young people, who often face unique challenges and may feel unsafe in traditional shelters predominantly used by men.
Papal Audience and Official Blessing
The Berlin delegation first attended a general audience with Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square, where Archbishop Heiner Koch of Berlin personally informed the Pope about the initiative. Later that afternoon, with special permission, the mobile showers entered the Belvedere Courtyard for the official blessing. Cardinal Parolin, the second-highest official in the Vatican, and Archbishop Koch jointly blessed the vehicles.
During the blessing, Cardinal Parolin prayed, “Bless this mobile shower and bless the people in need who will benefit from this service, and also bless your sons and daughters who are committed to serving their fellow human beings.” He also acknowledged the special focus of the camper vans on women and youth, noting that they provide a protected space for a short time, in addition to personal hygiene facilities.
Impact and Future Outlook
Rebecca Aust described the blessing as a powerful symbol: “It’s simply good to know that we are seen, we are supported, and we are also spiritually supported. A great signal goes out from this large community into the world, but also to us and our target group.” Jeannine Hennicke, a social pedagogue with the “Seifenbüchse” (Soapbox) project for young people, expressed that the trip to Rome provided significant encouragement and increased visibility for their younger project.
The SkF Berlin, a women’s association, has been supporting children, young people, women, and families in emergency situations and special circumstances since 1901. With over 400 volunteers and full-time staff, they are an indispensable part of church social work and a self-reliant, critically constructive women’s professional association within the Caritas Association of the Archdiocese of Berlin.
The two mobile showers, in operation since 2019 and 2025, are pioneering projects in Germany, offering a unique approach to addressing the hygiene needs of the homeless. This Vatican blessing underscores the universal importance of compassion and practical assistance for the most vulnerable members of society.
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/de/kirche/news/2026-05/duschmobil-sichtbarkeit-landesgrenze-segnung-parolin.html
