Vatican announces two initiatives to help African AIDS orphans

Published: 2004-01-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican announced the launch of two initiatives to help African AIDS orphans as it released Pope John Paul II's 2004 Lenten message, which focused on the needs of children. At the request of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," the Vatican's coordinating agency for Catholic charitable agencies, the Vatican post office issued a stamp dedicated to children with AIDS. At a Vatican press conference Jan. 29, Archbishop Paul Cordes, president of the council, said all proceeds from the sale of the stamp, which will sell for .45 euros, or about 56 cents, would be donated by Pope John Paul to a new project aimed at helping AIDS orphans in Kenya. The Vatican also announced it was setting up a special bank account for Italian citizens to donate money for the project.

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