ROME -- Pope Francis has opened a new laundromat for the homeless to wash and dry their clothing.
The laundromat, near the Vatican, has six washing machines and dryers.
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On Tuesday, Ciro Guardaccione was among the first to use the new machines. He carefully placed his clothing in the washing machine and watched it spin around.
"This is a fantastic thing, I would like to thank Pope Francis for everything," he said.
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The laundromat will remain open four days a week and services are free.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has made an effort to reach out to the homeless in Rome. In 2015, the Vatican opened a free barber shop and showers under the Vatican Colonnade and set up a dormitory for homeless men near St. Peter's Basilica.
AP
Giuseppe, 53, puts clothes inside a washing machine in a laundry opened in the Sant' Egidio Community Center in Rome (Alessandra Tarantino)