To mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of Caritas Internationalis, a special historic steam train left the Vatican railway station and travelled to Orvieto in Umbria on 21 May. The Vatican station is used for departures by popes. In the past, trains containing Caritas relief supplies also left from the Vatican station.

As well as members of the public, officials from the Vatican and Ferrovie dello Stato (the Italian State Railway system supported the initiative), representatives from Caritas national organisations, diplomats from embassies to the Holy See and train enthusiasts were on board.

A heritage steam locomotive from 1915 departed from Vatican station with seven carriages from the 1930s. The State Parlour Car on this train was used by Pope John XXIII and was previously used by the Italian royal family and by presidents of Italy.

Cardinal Rodríguez said, “A train has many wagons, Caritas has 164 members. Caritas is like a big train of charity and love.”