In the heart of Rome, just a few streets away from the Vatican, a quiet revolution in cleanliness has begun. No quarters, no coins, no tokens required—just the simple promise of clean clothes. Welcome to the Pope Francis Laundry, or Lavanderia di Papa Francesco, a laundromat opened by His Holiness himself, dedicated to giving the homeless and those struggling in extreme poverty a chance to wash, dry, and reclaim a small but profound slice of dignity.

Yes, you read that right. The pope opened a laundromat. And yes, it’s exactly as holy—and as practical—as it sounds.

The Dignity of Clean Clothes

“Restoring dignity to so many people who are our brothers and sisters,” Archbishop Konrad Krajewski said, sums up the philosophy behind this initiative. According to Krajewski, one of the greatest challenges faced by those living on the streets is laundry itself. Alongside finding food, shelter, and public baths, having clothes—clean, wearable, functional clothes—is a daily battle. And when the garments you own are often all you have, the ability to wash them becomes about more than hygiene; it becomes about humanity.

The Lavanderia di Papa Francesco opened its doors on April 10, 2017, as the latest gift from the pope to Rome’s poor and homeless. The Papal Almoner’s Office described it as a free service “offered to the poorest people, particularly the homeless, who will be able to wash, dry and iron their clothes and blankets.” The initiative was inspired by Pope Francis’s call for “concrete signs of mercy” during the 2016 Year of Mercy—a tangible embodiment of faith through action.

Inside a repurposed hospital building near the Vatican, run by the Rome-based Community of Sant’Egidio, the facility hums with washers and dryers. Thanks to donations from Whirlpool, there are six brand-new washing machines and six dryers, while Procter & Gamble supplies an endless supply of detergent and fabric softener. This is just the beginning. Plans are underway for a barbershop, showers, and basic health care facilities—transforming the building into a one-stop sanctuary for personal renewal.

Pope Francis – Just Like Us (But Better)

Pope Francis isn’t some distant figure in a gold-trimmed palace; he’s remarkably human. He shops for new shoes, worries about climate change, and has his own opinions about world leaders. But when it comes to caring for the poor, he is leagues ahead of the rest of us mortals. From the very start of his papacy, he has focused on relieving poverty, choosing the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, who embraced a life of poverty. He declared his wish for “a church that is poor and for the poor,” and when he calls for action, people listen.

Inspired by the pontiff’s call for “true signs of mercy” during the Jubilee of Mercy, the Community of Sant’Egidio founded the Pope Francis Laundrette. Nestled in the Trastevere neighborhood just south of Vatican City, the facility is managed by a community of volunteers and offers free laundry services to homeless residents.

On the day it opened, the laundrette was packed with journalists. The facility contained 12 washing machines and dryers, generously donated by local businesses. Volunteers were on hand to provide guidance and assistance to anyone using the machines.

“Rome is a tough city for the poor, so an initiative like this is a strong and necessary message,” Carlo explained. “This laundrette reminds us that not everyone’s lives are like our own, and that some people struggle with things we’d never think of ourselves. Finding clean clothes to wear can be difficult for homeless people, but also, for example, simply finding a toilet. Bars often don’t let them in.”

The papacy itself has a history of similar projects. In 2015, the Vatican opened facilities for free haircuts, showers, and basic medical care for the homeless. A laundrette named after the pope was a natural next step. Carlo added, “Every one of us can help someone who is worse off than ourselves.”

A retired classics teacher volunteering at the laundrette, who requested anonymity. “I don’t like the term ‘work,’” she said. “It implies a quid pro quo. You can’t put a price on what you receive from helping people in need.” Her words capture the spirit of the laundrette: service that enriches both giver and receiver.

Laundry Love: An International Echo

Across the globe, the simple act of washing clothes for someone who cannot afford it has blossomed into a movement. In the United States, Laundry Love partners with local laundromats to provide free services for people experiencing homelessness. The initiative began with a simple question: when asked what he needed most, a homeless man responded, “If I had clean clothes, I think people would treat me like a human being.”

During Laundry Love sessions, volunteers either pay for laundry or organize machines to run free for the guests. Some laundromats even donate proceeds from certain machines to the nonprofit. Beyond the physical act of washing, volunteers engage with their guests, offering tutoring for children, help with job applications, or just a kind conversation in a world that often ignores them.

Greg Russinger, co-founder and national director of Laundry Love, told Fast Company, “Dignity is built…relationships are built. All you have is free time inside a laundromat.” His words resonate deeply when you consider the quiet intimacy of a shared laundry space: folding clothes, swapping stories, connecting over the spin cycle. The Pope’s new laundromat embodies this same principle, providing not only clean clothes but a safe, respectful space where individuals can feel seen.

Australia’s Mobile Miracle: Orange Sky Laundry

The spirit of washing as ministry stretches even further. In Australia, Orange Sky Laundry took the concept to the streets—literally. By engineering washers and dryers small enough to fit in vans, volunteers now crisscross cities like Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, providing free laundry services to people living in temporary, unstable, or street-bound conditions.

With a fleet of 11 vans, each load washed becomes an act of connection. Volunteers chat, share a cup of tea, and bring dignity back to those who often feel invisible. And it all starts with soap and a spin cycle.

Clean Clothes, Clean Spirit

Laundry might seem trivial to many, but for the marginalized, clean garments are life-altering. Imagine showing up to a job interview in the same pair of grimy pants you’ve worn for a week, or meeting a doctor with only stained, torn clothes to present. The impact of clean clothing goes beyond hygiene—it affects self-esteem, mental health, and the very way society perceives you.

In 14 years, Laundry Love has served nearly 750,000 people, completing more than a million loads of laundry. Each wash is a ripple in a larger current: restoring dignity, offering a chance to reconnect, and saying, simply, you matter.

The Pope’s Philosophy in Spin

Pope Francis’s laundromat is emblematic of a broader principle: spirituality meets practicality. It is one thing to preach about caring for the least among us; it is another to provide a tangible, daily service that addresses a real-world need. In this space, the act of laundering becomes a modern sacrament, and each guest is a participant in a small miracle.

Inside the Pope Francis Laundry, volunteers assist with every detail: detergent measured, machines monitored, and stories shared. Imagine folding a shirt while hearing someone describe a life on the streets, their struggles, hopes, and small victories. The hum of washers, the steam from dryers, the faint scent of soap—all these mundane details coalesce into a profound human experience. Laundry becomes a canvas for empathy.

Beyond Rome: The Global Lesson

From Los Angeles to Brisbane, and now Rome, the lesson is clear: laundry is a universal language of care. It’s low-tech, non-threatening, and universally understood. Everyone needs clean clothes. And everyone deserves the dignity that comes with them.

These projects illustrate the remarkable idea that acts of kindness can be both practical and symbolic. Offering a free load of laundry may seem small, but for someone experiencing homelessness, it can shift perceptions, restore confidence, and even open doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain closed.

In each community, volunteers learn as much as they teach. Folding clothes, running machines, and chatting with guests becomes a shared ritual—a reminder that compassion often starts in the most ordinary, domestic acts.

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The Final Spin

So, next time you toss a load in the washer, pause to reflect. In Rome, Pope Francis has reminded the world that laundry is never just about cleanliness—it’s about humanity, dignity, and grace. A washing machine hums, a dryer spins, and in that simple motion, lives are touched, spirits lifted, and a small miracle is performed.

Call it holy rinse, papal spin, or divine detergent. Whatever you call it, remember: the load you just washed may not be saving the world—but somewhere, someone’s dignity is freshly folded, pressed, and ready to go.

In Loving Memory: Pope Francis (1936–2025)

We remember Pope Francis not only as a spiritual leader but as a tireless advocate for the poor, the marginalized, and the unseen. From humble gestures like providing sleeping bags to the homeless, to opening the Lavanderia di Papa Francesco in Rome, he lived the principles of mercy, dignity, and service.

His papacy reminded the world that even the simplest acts—washing clothes, offering a warm meal, lending a listening ear—can restore humanity and hope. Though he has passed, his legacy spins on, like a freshly laundered garment, carrying the scent of compassion, humility, and grace.

May we honor him not just in memory, but in action—by extending care, kindness, and dignity to all we encounter.

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