Rome church opens its doors to the homeless

Pietro, a homeless man who has been living on the streets of Rome, will now have a roof over his head for Christmas.

He is the first "guest" at a church which has opened its doors to house the homeless.

The San Callisto Church in the Trastevere neighbourhood of the Italian capital has been outfitted with 15 cubicles each with a bed and a nightstand.

"COVID(-19) has brought everyone to their knees," Pietro, who did not want to give his last name, explained as he sat on his new bed.

During the past two months I have slept on the street… it is awful. It is awful, he explained.

The church opens its doors at 7pm and the homeless people can stay until nine the next morning.Pietro has his own cubicle with a bed, a heater and access to a bathroom.The church is owned by the Vatican and run by the Catholic charity group Sant' Egidio.

Pietro had to undergo a COVID-19 swab test before being given a spot which will be held for him every night.

If he doesn't show up, the bed will be given to another person in need.

The church was first opened for homeless people during Italy's national lockdown in the spring when the entire population was told to stay at home and closed down for several weeks after the measure was lifted.

(IMAGE CREDITS:AP)