Vatican Offers Housing To Homeless Woman Who Had Baby Outside St. Peter's

A homeless woman who gave birth near St. Peter's Square was reportedly offered shelter by a Vatican official.

It was about 2 am on Wednesday when the mother, identified as Maria Claudia, gave birth on a piece of cardboard at Piazza Pio XII, a popular spot for homeless people located near the pillars of St. Peter's Square, according to reports.

Police on patrol covered Claudia, originally from Romania, and her baby with their jackets before calling an ambulance to take the mother and daughter to Santo Spirito Hospital. The baby reportedly weighed 6 pounds and 6 ounces.

Pope Francis' top charity official, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, visited Claudia at the hospital later that day, Fox News reports.

He asked her if she and her daughter, Irene, would like to spend a free year at the Missionaries of Charity's women's shelter, which is owned by the Vatican.

A vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, was asked if this offer came directly from Pope Francis.

He reportedly replied,

Everything that is done for the homeless and all of Archbishop Krajewski's activities are done in the pope's name.

Claudia and her partner were apparently known by Vatican officials because they had previously showered at a facility for the homeless near St. Peter's Square.

The mother is yet to announce whether she will accept the offer from the Vatican.

Citations: Vatican offers a place to stay to homeless woman who gave birth near St. Peter's (Fox News), Homeless woman goes into labor in St. Peter's Square; Vatican offers place to stay (UPI)