The hospital boat which is an initiative of the Fraternity of Saint Francis of Assisi, was launched in Belem, Brazil. A gesture to help the Amazon rural area.
In a letter sent to mark the ship’s launch on Aug. 17, the Holy Father said the Boat will help bring spiritual comfort and calm to the worries of disadvantaged men and women, uninhibited to their fate Just as Jesus, who appeared walking on water, calmed the storm and strengthened the faith of the disciples.
In addition to being a beautiful motion in view of the Synod of Bishops for Amazon, this river hospital contains an operating room and an analysis laboratory. It is expected to be providing a range of medical facilities, including, mammogram, vaccinations, ultrasounds and X-rays.
The boat hospital began treating its first patients on Aug. 18 and the people of Amazon have accepted it as a great response from God, who continues to send His disciples and to heal the sick.
The Boat which was created by the Brazilian Franciscans has been named after POPE FRANCIS who inspired the Franciscans when he visited their healthcare facility during the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro in 2013. On this visit, it is said that the pope encouraged Friar Francisco Belotti to expand his religious order’s charitable works into the Amazon region.
The pope associated the hospital ship’s launch to the upcoming Special Synod of Bishops from the Pan-Amazonian region, to be held on Oct. 6-27.
The boat is 32 meters in length and it has been staffed by 10 crew members, 20 medical volunteers, and a Franciscan boat director for each 10-day voyage. “Barco Hospital Papa Francisco” will travel along the Amazon River to reach people who live in communities in the Amazon area that’s only accessible by river.
Report: Jacqueline Saidi
