Vatican City: Even as summer brings a pause to many activities in Rome, Pope Leo XIV’s mission of compassion remains tireless. The Holy Father has dispatched emergency food aid to families in Ukraine’s embattled Kharkiv region and ordered relief for victims of Typhoon Danas in Taiwan.

In a fresh wave of papal charity, food parcels sourced and packed under the guidance of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity led by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski have been delivered to civilians in Staryi Saltiv and Shevchenkove. Both areas have recently suffered intense missile and drone attacks as part of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

“Charity never takes a vacation,” declared Cardinal Krajewski, echoing Pope Leo XIV’s directive for swift and personal aid to the victims. Trucks filled with canned goods, oil, pasta, tuna, and hygiene items were dispatched from the Basilica of Saint Sophia in Rome a hub of humanitarian coordination since 2022. Every parcel was marked in both Ukrainian and Italian with the words: "Gift of Pope Leo XIV for the people of Kharkiv."

Notably, the aid was delivered straight to the homes of survivors bypassing third-party agencies to ensure immediate, unfiltered assistance. Behind this mission was the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, a Catholic institution known for its global charitable initiatives, which also supported logistics for this operation.

This outreach follows a similar effort in June, when Pope Leo sent mattresses, toys, and food to war-affected Ukrainian children and families. The images of gratitude from Kharkiv now serve as a powerful reminder of the Vatican's continued support for communities caught in the crossfire of global crises.

Simultaneously, Pope Leo XIV has turned his attention to Asia. Upon learning of the destruction caused by Typhoon Danas in Taiwan, he requested the Papal Almoner's Office to provide material support to the afflicted. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed the Pope’s prayers for the victims and his commitment to assisting them, emphasizing the pontiff’s desire for concrete action over symbolic gestures.

In the words of Pope Leo XIV during his recent homily at Castel Gandolfo: “Even when bombs fall and storms rage, we must not grow weary in doing good. For in charity, Christ’s peace endures.”